Moralizing Technology Taylor Monser, Christina Ibarra, and Charlotte Ramos

Do Objects Have Morality?

-Despite objects being inanimate, their intended purpose infuses them with an innate morality-Eg: A speedbump in a residential area protects pedestrians and therefore contains an innate goodness. -Conversely, a gun’s implicit use is to shoot something which conveys an innate badness

Do Objects Have Morality? (Cont.)

-Humans designate the mortality of an object when its implicit usage becomes clear (such as the placement of the speedbump)-Humans directly control the morality of an object-Likewise, an object can directly influence the mortality of a human-Eg: A human can create a weapon which is implicitly bad; this weapon enables the human to commit acts that are bad

Do Objects Have Morality? (Cont.)

Connection to discussion on nuclear bomb:-The intended function of the nuke is

destructive, implying an innate evil. The existence of the nuke is a potential catalyst for humans to destroy stuff.

-Therefore: Humans impact the morality of objects and objects impact the morality of humans

Foucault and Morality

Any moral system involves three elements:-Moral Code-Behavior According to Code-Moral Subjects that Follow Code

Foucault and Morality

-Moral Code:-The name/categorization of the moral system

-eg: a moral code of chastity

Foucault and Morality

-Behavior:-The behaviors that define the moral code-Eg: The behaviors associated with moral code of chastity define morality in regards to sexuality

Foucault and Morality

-Moral Subjects:-The individuals who are willing to subject themselves to the moral code-Eg: For a moral system to exist, individuals must be subjected to the behaviors outlined within

Foucault and Morality

Moral Subjects (cont):-Technology can create subjects in three ways:

-Force: Directly control actions-Eg: Speedbumps force you to slow

-Persuasion: Give feedback to sway actions-Eg: Washing machines that give feedback about water

conservation leads to environmental consciousness-Seduction: Subconscious persuasion

-Eg: Advertising, Logos, Branding

Morality in DesignAll technologies-in-design will eventually mediate human actions & experiences, thus helping form our moral decisions and quality of our lives

The phenomenon of technological mediation therefore burdens designers with a specific responsibility

Designing Mediations

The fact that technologies always help to shape human actions and interpretations on the basis of which (moral) decisions are made has important implications for our understanding of the ethical roles of both technological artifacts and their designers.

The increasing availability of safety devices in cars have created a safe-feeling that invites people to drive faster

In some cases, technological devices can be more effective for changing human behavior than persuasive communication campaigns

Ex. Speed bumps

Mediation Theory & Ethics of Design

When desirable mediating effects are inscribed in technologies, explicitly behavior-influencing technologies will result

The ethics of technology then aims to accompany technological developments.

Netherlands Philosopher: Hans Achterhuis

Instead of moralizing only other people, humans should also moralize their material environment

Ex. water-saving showerhead

Such delegations would free humans from the burden of having to continually reflect on the quality of our actions

Criticisms● Deliberate actions are

what make us human

● People are not acting freely

● Technologies would be in control

● Human dignity is not necessarily attacked when freedom is limited

● Accepting responsibility

● Responsibility for technological mediation should not be left to the designers alone

Anticipating Mediations

User →(appropriation)

→ Hermeneutic

(interpretation)Designer → Mediation (delegation)

→ PragmaticTechnology →

(practices)(emergence)

Assessing Mediations

Stakeholder analysis: lay bare all moral arguments that are relevant to a given ethical problem by making an inventory of all stakeholders involved and all arguments that are relevant from their points of view

Methods of Moralization

Moral InscriptionJaap Jelsma

User logic & script logic

Ex. Dishwasher

Value Sensitive DesignBatya Friedman et al.

Interactive methodology that integrates conceptual, empirical, and technological investigations

Moral Environments: An Application

Ambient Intelligence -Technology functioning invisibly in the background of our existence. Examples-”Smart homes” or “Smart Environments”-Elderly homes: “Ears on walls” detects and alerts nurses when there’s unusually loud noise in room (cry for help)

Persuasive Technology

Social Sciences Approach-Intervenes decision making of an individualExamples-FoodPhone-HygieneGuard

Ethics

Blur Distinctions of Humans & Technology -Treated as a hybrid affair of ethics (Humans & Objects held accountable equally)- Situation of ChoiceThe Persuader, Persuasive Technology & The Persuaded and moral reflection

Composite & Cyborb Relations with Technology

Technologies beyond the influencing of the human (Technological intentionality)-Composite Relations: MRI imaging & Intelligent Speed Adaptation -Cyborg Relations: Neutral Implants & Psychopharmacological Drugs

Merging with the Human Subject

--These technologies do not mediate human actions, BUT merge with the human subject head on.