In this comprehensive collection of essays, most of which appear for the first time, eminent scholars from many disciplines—philosophy, economics, sociology, political science, demography, theology, history, and social psychology—examine the causes, nature, and consequences of present-day consumption patterns in the United States and throughout the world.

We point out the need to clarify some of the ideas related to the connection between development and sustainability in the Report of the Open Working Group of the General Assembly on Sustainable Development. In particular, the meaning of ‘sustainable’ is not clear when applied to specific areas of human activity. A more detailed explanation of the kind of equality sought for in the proposal is also needed. Because of potential conflicts between goals, we miss some considerations on the impact (...) of population increase both on development and on sustainability. A distinction is made here between two kinds of goals included in the Report. Some of the proposed 17 goals can then be seen as ends in themselves, whereas others seem to be means for the first set. The two sets thereby established should be seen in theory and dealt with in practice in a differentiated manner. (shrink)

Este trabajo es una reseña-ensayo de Ethics of Global Development, Agency, Capacity and Deliberative Democracy, libro en el que David Crocker expone toda su larga dedicación a los problemas éticos del desarrollo internacional. Después de enumerar las ideas básicas de la obra, hacemos algunas observaciones acerca de los fundamentos del enfoque de capacidad, así como la conexión entre este enfoque y el de las necesidades básicas. En particular, se señalan algunos problemas que surgen de la formulación abstracta de algunos principios (...) éticos importantes. (shrink)

Development has become the main obsession for Third World countries. It is usually associated with the mastery of scientific and technological processes. Since strictly speaking there is no transfer of teohnology, poor countries cannot solve their problens by simply profiting from a technology freely flowing from advanced nations. Other alternatives must be considered. At the same time, the notion of development itself must be criticised and a developed notion of development must be achieved and applied. Such an achievement could be (...) the contribution of the developing countries to the world as a whole. (shrink)

Parece haber una contradicción entre la idea de Leibniz de que vivimos en el mejor de los mundos posibles y sus constantes esfuerzos por mejorar la condición humana ofreciendo soluciones a problemas sociales. En este artículo exploramos algunos enfoques para tratar este conflicto entre teoría y práctica.

The philosophy of technology seems to be in a stagnant condition today, partly due to the lack of communication between several traditions in the field. Whereas science and technology are considered products of society in the STS programs, the approach in Latin American countries is just the opposite: a better society is sought after through the application of science and technology in development plans. A dialogue between these two opposite traditions might prove useful in overcoming stagnation in the field.

The philosophy of technology seems to be in a stagnant condition today, partly due to the lack of communication between several traditions in the field. Whereas science and technology are considered products of society in the STS programs, the approach in Latin American countries is just the opposite: a better society is sought after through the application of science and technology in development plans. A dialogue between these two opposite traditions might prove useful in overcoming stagnation in the field.