NDLI: Technology as empowerment: a capability approach to computer ethics

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Johnstone, Justine
Copyright Year	2007
Abstract	Standard agent and action-based approaches in computer ethics tend to have difficulty dealing with complex systems-level issues such as the digital divide and globalisation. This paper argues for a value-based agenda to complement traditional approaches in computer ethics, and that one value-based approach well-suited to technological domains can be found in capability theory. Capability approaches have recently become influential in a number of fields with an ethical or policy dimension, but have not so far been applied in computer ethics. The paper introduces two major versions of the theory – those advanced by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum – and argues that they offer potentially valuable conceptual tools for computer ethics. By developing a theory of value based on core human functionings and the capabilities (powers, freedoms) required to realise them, capability theory is shown to have a number of potential benefits that complement standard ethical theory, opening up new approaches to analysis and providing a framework that incorporates a justice as well as an ethics dimension. The underlying functionalism of capability theory is seen to be particularly appropriate to technology ethics, enabling the integration of normative and descriptive analysis of technology in terms of human needs and values. The paper concludes by considering some criticisms of the theory and directions for further development.
Starting Page	73
Ending Page	87
Page Count	15
File Format	PDF
ISSN	13881957
Journal	Ethics and Information Technology
Volume Number	9
Issue Number	1
e-ISSN	15728439
Language	English
Publisher	Kluwer Academic Publishers
Publisher Date	2007-02-14
Publisher Place	Dordrecht
Access Restriction	One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
Subject Keyword	capability theory computer ethics empowerment freedom justice values Library Science User Interfaces and Human Computer Interaction Ethics Technology Management Management of Computing and Information Systems
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Library and Information Sciences Computer Science Applications

Sl.	Authority	Responsibilities	Communication Details
1	Ministry of Education (GoI), Department of Higher Education	Sanctioning Authority	https://www.education.gov.in/ict-initiatives
2	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	Host Institute of the Project: The host institute of the project is responsible for providing infrastructure support and hosting the project	https://www.iitkgp.ac.in
3	National Digital Library of India Office, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	The administrative and infrastructural headquarters of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in
4	Project PI / Joint PI	Principal Investigator and Joint Principal Investigators of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti will be added soon
5	Website/Portal (Helpdesk)	Queries regarding NDLI and its services	support@ndl.gov.in
6	Contents and Copyright Issues	Queries related to content curation and copyright issues	content@ndl.gov.in
7	National Digital Library of India Club (NDLI Club)	Queries related to NDLI Club formation, support, user awareness program, seminar/symposium, collaboration, social media, promotion, and outreach	clubsupport@ndl.gov.in
8	Digital Preservation Centre (DPC)	Assistance with digitizing and archiving copyright-free printed books	dpc@ndl.gov.in
9	IDR Setup or Support	Queries related to establishment and support of Institutional Digital Repository (IDR) and IDR workshops	idr@ndl.gov.in

Lockbox: mobility, privacy and values in cloud storage

Editorial: ICT and the capability approach

Technology, capabilities and critical perspectives: what can critical theory contribute to Sen’s capability approach?

Understanding benefits realisation of iREACH from a capability approach perspective

Cyborg morals, cyborg values, cyborg ethics

Robot caregivers: harbingers of expanded freedom for all?

Freedom and Privacy in Ambient Intelligence

Informational privacy and moral values

The capability approach and the ‘medium of choice’: steps towards conceptualising information and communication technologies for development

Technology as empowerment: a capability approach to computer ethics

Similar Documents

Lockbox: mobility, privacy and values in cloud storage

Editorial: ICT and the capability approach

Technology, capabilities and critical perspectives: what can critical theory contribute to Sen’s capability approach?

Understanding benefits realisation of iREACH from a capability approach perspective

Cyborg morals, cyborg values, cyborg ethics

Robot caregivers: harbingers of expanded freedom for all?

Freedom and Privacy in Ambient Intelligence

Informational privacy and moral values

The capability approach and the ‘medium of choice’: steps towards conceptualising information and communication technologies for development

Technology as empowerment: a capability approach to computer ethics