Making the invisible visible Normativities in and of technology assessment

Abstract

Technology assessment (TA) is an analytic and interactive practice that produces evaluative judgments about the societal implications of tech-nology. Despite this distinct evaluative disposition, “normativities” in-herent in TA programs and practices often remain hidden. Therefore, TA practice and outcomes often overlook a range of methodological, ethical, and political issues. In an attempt to remedy this shortcoming, this article explores how TA aims to improve political decision making in science and technology (meta-normativity) and is imbued with the values, norms, and moral positions of both participants and TA practi-tioners (in-normativity). It provides recommendations to render these normativities in TA more visible, and thereby amenable to reconsider-ation and change.