Abstract: Although emerging as a prominent field, research on the ethics of science and technology (S&T) continues to face multiple identity dilemmas. The first is that of conceptual boundaries. Despite the ubiquity of ethical discourse today, core concepts remain increasingly ambiguous. In reality, S&T ethics is transcending the scope of traditional research ethics and technical ethics, pointing toward a form of social ethics for the “Age of S&T”. The second dilemma is that of disciplinary identity. This necessitates establishing a clear position amidst multiple relationships: clarifying the correlation between the generality of S&T ethics and the specificity of domain ethics, while properly handling the relationships between drawing on international discourse and constructing an autonomous local knowledge system, and between upholding interdisciplinary openness and scrutinizing the vision of disciplinary institutionalization. The third dilemma is that of practical functionality. Traditional normative paradigms are insufficient for effectively guiding governance practices. There is an urgent need to develop empirical research methods, including surveys, case studies, big data analyses, and experimental simulations. Future research should construct a multi-layered conceptual framework, strengthen empirical studies through interdisciplinary collaboration and global dialogue, and establish an academic system that effectively serves the governance of S&T ethics.

Key Words: S&T ethics; Identity dilemmas; Age of S&T; Disciplinary identity; Empirical research