Ethical Efficiency: Responsibility and Contingency (Cognitive Science: Responsible Research and Innovation, 1) by Virgil Cristian Lenoir explores the multifaceted dimensions of responsible research and innovation. This practical and conceptual book, published in February 2016 by Wiley-ISTE, delves into various philosophical resources to address ethical concerns in scientific and technological advancements. Covering topics such as ethics, contingency, normative economy, freedom, corporate social responsibility (CSR), participative technological evaluation, sustainable development, geoengineering, the precautionary principle, standards, interdisciplinarity, and climate management, it aims to clarify the new requirement for ethical considerations in research and innovation.

The book questions how ethics can influence effective logics of efficiency within research and innovation. It distinguishes between efficiency and effectiveness, leading to the discussion of efficacy—ethical agreements between these two concepts. The author highlights the potential for taking effective responsibility with respect to systematic injustices that may arise from efficiency-driven processes. Through this exploration, Ethical Efficiency offers categories to understand the ethical implications of RRI processes.

With 176 pages, this volume is an essential read for anyone interested in the ethical dimensions of research and innovation.