9222474 Smith This award provides partial support for philosophical research on the ethical implications of flexible production technologies. These technologies include numerically controlled tools, robots, and other forms of information technology that are or have the potential to change work relations in manufacturing. This research project examines these changes and claims about these changes from an ethical standpoint. Among the ethical principles that form the basis in normative social theory for an approach to this subject are those of individual autonomy, or freedom, and the social good, defined as the absence of fundamental social antagonisms. The analytical component of the research involves a thorough review of the empirical literature and studies of flexible production technologies that have been published, including those from both management and labor perspectives. The research involves identifying alleged consequences of ethical relevance in this literature, including areas of agreement and disagreement about the consequences of these technologies. It involves clarifying the assumptions and evidence that underly the various conclusions, and their strengths and weaknesses. Careful consideration of these issues may allow the investigator to formulate conclusions that are defensible normatively and empirically. If this is not possible, he may be able to make clear the kind of further empirical work needed to resolve the normative questions. This research will be undertaken with regular interaction and discussions with a group of social scientists who are doing empirical research on these issues. Results will include publication of articles and a monograph and presentations at professional conferences. Results will also be presented in more public media. ***
