Ethics academic in the School of Religion, Philosophy and Classics Dr Beatrice Okyere-Manu has edited and launched her new book African Values, Ethics, and Technology, penned by a variety of African authors.

The book charts technological developments from an African ethical perspective, exploring the idea that while certain technologies have benefited Africans, the fact that these technologies were designed and produced in and for a different setting has led to conflicts with African ethical values.

Written in a simple and engaging style, the authors apply an African ethical lens to themes such as: the Fourth Industrial Revolution; the moral status of technology; technology and sexual relations; and bioethics and technology.

‘The book was borne out of my deeper reflections on the advancement of technologies as an African ethicist,’ said Okyere-Manu. ‘There is no doubt that these advancements introduce us to new and unexpected ethical questions that cut across religion, culture, environmental interests, healthcare and virtually every other aspect of human life. The irony is that frequently Africans are seen to have been left behind in the development of these technologies, however they are among the greatest consumers.’

The panel of Writers interrogate how African communities survive exposed as they are to more and more technologies that may not have been created with them in mind? ‘Emerging technologies require us to re-examine our indigenous African traditions, values and practices and the roles they can play in the face of these new technological developments – that is what the individual authors of the chapters in this innovative book achieve,’ said Okyere-Manu.

She believes the book is relevant because ‘it contributes to the global debate on the ethical implications of these emerging technologies on the African Continent. It also provokes our thinking around the fundamental ethical issues that these technologies present to our value systems, beliefs and practices as a people on the continent and challenges us on the need to be active players in the field of technology and innovation.’

The book is on sale through: https://www.palgrave.com/gp/book/9783030705497 and https://beatriceokyere.com/books/african-values-ethics-and-technology.