The mundane alternative to a demiurgical conceit. Comment on Ribeiro et al. ‘Introducing the dilemma of societal alignment for inclusive and responsible research and innovation’

Abstract

ABSTARCT: The Collingridge Dilemma is a real dilemma, but we take it at our peril for a problem to be solved. The proposal by Ribeiro et al., in foregrounding the notion of ‘alignment’, sets out to provide an alternative description, one that could help us move away from a certain demiurgical conceit frequently associated with the Collingridge Dilemma. While their framing of the predicament runs into trouble and fails to break free of the demiurgical stance, it does point to what emerges as a more mundane and workable alternative.