This is an important book precisely because there is none other quite like it.

“Employees have rights by virtue of employment law and the contract of employment. They also have a third right, however: that of being treated with respect…” What this implies is explored here in detail by the Senior Partner of Phoenix Human Resources Consultants, 17 Den Road, Shortlands, Bromley, Kent BR2 ONH. Ms Douglas originally gave this presentation at a meeting of The Ethical Business Forum at London Business School.

The issue of "forbidden knowledge" is as old as the second chapter of Genesis. Now, after an interlude of "value-free science," the issue has resurfaced in connection with late twentieth-century research and development. In this revival, attention has for the most part been focussed on specific and often controversial cases such as military R&D, medical research on living humans and animals and, more recently, on genetic technology and new reproductive techniques. Undoubtedly, part of the reason for this resurgence is the (...) real or imagined hopes and fears, threats and promises which many now perceive as unavoidably connected with modern science. In general, the effects of the scientific enterprise on human life are now perceived as great, although not very predictable in the short, and, even less in the long run. (shrink)

Since the idea of forbidden knowledge is rooted in the biblical story of Adam and Eve eating from the forbidden tree of knowledge, its meaning today, in particular as a metaphor for scientific knowledge, is not so obvious. We can and should ask questions about the autonomy of science.