Ethics Discussion on Engineering Responsibilities with Respect to Technology and Weapons Systems
Technology developed by engineers has undoubtedly given us many of the wonders we have today. The internet, cell phones, television, automobiles, airplanes, satellites, and personal computers are some of our most revolutionary engineering feats. If you open Google maps on your cell phone, you can view up-to-date images of China that have been taken by a satellite in free-fall orbit around our planet. What is more, in some places, is that you can zoom in and clearly make out a persons' hair color. This technology can obviously be used for many tasks: Land survey, monitoring schools of fish, and even finding hidden civilizations. However, whether by design or not, most any type of technology can be used for nefarious reasons. Russia using the internet to influence American elections, terrorists using cell phones to remotely detonate
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One would think if your enemy is constantly building their arsenal, you should too lest you become overpowered. Its ethical to build defenses, but when that technology is used to take lives outside of its intended operating use, things begin to unravel. The Manhattan Project is the greatest example of a moral conundrum we have faced as a nation. In August of 1945, President Harry S. Truman signed an order to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The first blast vaporized an estimated 70,000 and the second bomb five days later vaporized an estimated 80,000. America had nearly defeated Japan, and impending an invasion, decided to use an unruly force that brought about an unconditional surrender from Japan. Many argue that the bombs could have been avoided, but under pressure from cabinet members and military leaders, a swift victory was requested. No American lives were lost in the bombings, and it is somewhat accepted that more lives were saved because the war came to an
“Dropping the atomic bombs on Japan saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of U.S. soldiers and some believed it was the only way to end the war quickly.” in Dropping the A-Bomb Saved Lives. As a result of dropping the bomb Japan lost lives of soldiers, civilians and land. Japan also lost power in their government because of the bombs, and many business, houses got destroyed and created some tension between the governments. The U.S. only had a few choices since Japan wouldn't surrender the U.S. had to do something.
Arnold, the u.s. had already high explosives and incendiary bombs including raids which killed about 241,000, wounded 313,000, and destroyed about 2,333,000 homes, then the b-29 destroyed a lot of the Japanese industries which prevented incoming cargoes. Furthermore, the drop was not necessary, due to the fact that even before the atomic bomb was dropped it caused a lot of deaths and when the atomic bomb was dropped it caused tens of thousands of deaths. United States had damaged Japan plenty. Regardless of the atomic bomb being dropped, Japan was in the verge of collapse due to the massive ruinous caused by
World War II was one of the most traumatic, life costing wars in history. The ongoing fighting between the globe’s strongest countries was excruciating. The war in the Pacific between the United States and Japan was hard-fought. Each side had always planned their invasions thoroughly. Although the dropping of the atomic bomb was deadly for many Japanese citizens in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it still counted as one of the most strategic plans to end the war as quickly as possible with limited casualties.
Japanese Bombing The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was necessary in order for Japan to surrender, save American lives, and keep the Soviet Union from expanding its influence in Asia. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. held a conference in which they made it official that they were at war with Japan and ready to strike back as soon as possible. The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki made the Japanese realize that they couldn’t afford another fatal bombing and cause innocent people to die again so shortly after the bombing, they surrendered to the United States. Soon after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the United States knew that they had to come up with a plan to invade Japan and force them to surrender.
The Atomic Bomb in WWII Unethical Dilemma Leonardo McCormick Adventist University of Health Sciences The Atomic Bomb In WWII Unethical Dilemma As all aspects of life-threatening situations can become an unethical dilemma which are then discussed. In order to make a statement we must always be mindful to set aside our personal bias when presenting such materials.
Japan was weakening, “The food situation gradually becoming worse and worse…” Stated in source H. America had many industrial resources to use against Japan and so Japan had essentially been defeated. Japan pushed only for the sake of their countries honour as the shame of unconditional surrender goes against their code of honour. Furthermore a warning was given to Japan with America promising to drop the atomic bomb, however there was no evidence and so it could have easily been deemed a bluff. An American nuclear scientist stated, “A demonstration of the bomb best be made… Japan could then be asked to surrender.” This source seems somewhat reliable as it is from one of the American scientists and they would know the strength of the bomb.
In fact, Ralph A. Bard, Undersecretary of the Navy wrote to Secretary of War Stimson in a June 27, 1945 memorandum. “I define this decision as an emotional and reckless decision, Japanese government may be searching for some opportunity which they could use as a medium of surrender” (Bard). In fact, the Japanese government expressed desire to end the war, and would have accepted conditional surrender before the mainland invasion in November. The reason for dropping the bomb was forcing Japan to surrender unconditionally. In America’s opinion, Japan had lost the war; they did not have any capital to negotiate with.
The bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki annihilated one fourth of a million Japanese people, the majority of whom were civilians. This horrifying and deplorable idea in history should have never crossed Harry Truman’s frontal lobe. Even though these were desperate times, these perverted and twisted actions are not justified by the circumstances. The atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were detestable and odious for reasons such as Japan was already compliant to a conditional surrender, the extinguishing of about 250,000 Japanese lives, and that one bomb was enough. One reason for why this was a heinous act is that it was unneeded.
President Roosevelt declared war against Japan the very next day. Even as they didn't want to get involved with war many men began to sign up to fight against the Japanese and for their country. The attack made America seek vengeance against Japan and get them back for what they did. One of these examples would be the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This attack immediately killed 80,000 people in Hiroshima and 40,000 in Nagasaki.
We gave them multiple chances, and even then it still wasn 't enough time for us to have really considered what would happen to Hiroshima. By taking into consideration of other people, we will be able to avoid more catastrophic events like Hiroshima from happening again in the future. The decision to bomb Hiroshima is one of the most inhuman things America has done. “A hundred thousand people were killed by this bomb.” These were innocent lives lost to Americas inpatient decision to end the war.
The Bombing of Hiroshima The bombing of Hiroshima was the right thing to do due to the military lives that were going to be lost if the bomb did not get dropped, America also wanted to impress Russia or intimidate them by dropping it and the president saw this opportunity to make japan surrender as well. This all supports the main point on why it was the right thing to do but many to all Japanese say otherwise Lots of soldiers lost their lives because of the conflict with japan, in document B, it states,”123,000 Japanese and Americans killed each other”. Paul Fussell, a WWII soldier also stated, ”war is immoral, war is cruel”. This is speaking for all the soldiers in the war or most of them, this also means that he doesn’t like war and it would
Afterwards, the United States declared war on Japan, and joined allies against the axis powers. The United States’ use of the atomic bombs is justified because it saved American lives; Japan was given fair warning, and their aggressions towards the U.S. The atomic bombs on Japan saved many American lives. Document 15 reads: The entire population of Japan is
President Truman and his associates believed that if they dropped the bomb they would receive surrender from Japan. Thus, saving millions of American lives, and ending the war. Nevertheless, by saving American lives they would sacrifice thousands of Japanese civilians. They had other idea to have Japan to surrender, but were willing to take the one that would have the most consequences. They were thinking too much about the US instead of creating actually peace within the nations.
However, the Japanese were committed to fight to the bitter end of the war and see it all the way through, regardless of the fact that the United States demanded unconditional surrender from the small country of islands. This further emphasizes that since the Japanese were not simply going to give up, Truman came to the conclusion that in order to save millions of lives, he had to take thousands. President Truman decided to drop the atomic bomb on Japan to warn the world about the new found power of the United States, force an unconditional surrender of the Japanese, and save millions of lives. With the controversy over whether or not Truman should have dropped the bomb, some consider the decision irrational and unnecessary.
I think that every future may bring technology, it will help us, but the same time, mobile phones may bring us some bad things that will leave a bad fingerprint in our societies