Information Ethics
Current and Future Research Areas
Rafael Capurro
Steinbeis-Transfer-Institute Information Ethics (STI-IE)
http://sti-ie.de
Lecture at the Division of Information and Library Studies
Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University
Brno, Czech Republic
June 2, 2009
Content
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Introduction
Foundational Issues
Current Research Areas
Conclusion: Forthcoming Topics
Bibliography
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Introduction
The concept of ethics as reflection on
morality is widely accepted among
philosophers going back to Aristotle as
the founder of ethics (or ethiké
belonging to philosophia praktiké) as
an academic discipline. Constructivists
such as Niklas Luhmann underline the
critical function of ethical theory with
regard to morality (or ethos).
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Introduction
Information ethics evolved out of
computer science but has also roots in
the library and information science
field.
The University of Pittsburgh and Kent
State University are among the US
pioneers (Froehlich 2004).
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Introduction
In the last ten years or so a plethora of
international conferences have taken
place and the number of scientific
publications has dramatically
increased.
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Introduction
Specialized journals:
Journal of Information Ethics
The ETHICOMP Journal
Ethics and Information Technology
Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in
Society
International Review of Information Ethics
International Journal of Internet Research Ethics
International Journal of Technology and Human
Interaction
Journal of Computer Mediated Communication
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Introduction
Professional societies such as
INSEIT (International Society for Ethics and
Information Technology)
ICIE (International Center for Information Ethics)
Center of Excellence for Ethics and Technology (The
Netherlands)
as well as IE networks in Africa, Asia and Latin America
have contributed to the development of information
ethics as a professional research field together with
courses in universities world-wide.
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Introduction
UNESCO conferences on social, ethical
and legal aspects of the Information
Society since 1998.
World Summit on the Information Society
(WSIS) 2003 and 2005.
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Introduction
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CATaC Conferences organized by Charles Ess and
Fay Sudweeks since 1998.
ETHICOMP Conferences organized by Simon
Rogerson since 1995.
CEPE conferences (since 1997).
ICIE Conference 2004: the first international
conference addressing explicitly information ethics
from an intercultural perspective.
The Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics:
international conference 2005 (forth.2010).
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The Foundational Debate
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Charles Ess:
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avoiding imperialistic homogenization
while preserving the irreducible
differences between cultures and people
Western Ethics and Confucian thought:
„resonance“ and „harmony“
„pros hen“ robust pluralism
Between irreducibility and
complementarity
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The Foundational Debate
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Toru Nishigaki:
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The Western idea of a „coherent self“ and the
Buddhist questionning of this idea.
The Western search for universal values and the
„doing away of conventional or universal
interpretations of the meanings of words“ in
ZEN.
Cognition as representation vs. „enactment“ of
the history of actions of a subject in the world
Ethics as observer-dependent reflection on
moral norms („fundamental informatics“).
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The Foundational Debate
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Terrell Ward Bynum:
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„flourishing ethics“
Basic principles: freedom, equality and
benevolence, minimum infringement of
freedom.
Maximize the opportunities of all humans
to exercise their autonomy.
Different cultures „can provide a
conductive context for human
flourishing.“
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The Foundational Debate

Luciano Floridi:
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the quest for an ethics of/for the
„infosphere“
Different clases of information entities
„onto-centric“ ethics
Various degrees of „intrinsic value“
Various leels of moral respect (from a
customer profile through netiquette and
human dignity)
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Current Research Areas
(See: Himma/Tavani 2008)
 Theoretical Issues of Property, Privacy,
Anonymity, and Security
 Professional Issues:
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Library Profession
Free and Open Source
Internet Research Ethics
Health Information Technology
Information and Business Ethics
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Current Research Areas
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Responsibility Issues and Risk
Assessment
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Responsibilities for Information on the
Internet
Virtual Reality and Computer Simulation
Genetic Information
The Ethics of Cyber Conflict
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Current Research Areas
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Regulatory Isues and Challenges
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Internet Governance
Information Overload
Email Spam
Plagiarims
Intellectual Property
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Current Research Areas
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Access and Equity Issues
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Censorship
Gender Agenda
Digital Divide
Intercultural Information Ethics
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Conclusion
Forthcoming topics:
 Surveillance society
 Convergent Technologies (Nano, Bio, Info,
Cogno)
 Robotics
 Ubiquitous Computing
 E-Waste
 ICT-Implants and Enhancements
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Bibliography
Capurro, R. (2008): On Floridi‘s Metaphysical Foundation of Information Ecology. Ethics and Information
Technology, Vol. 10, No. 2-3, 167-173. http://www.capurro.de/floridi.html
Capurro, R. (2008): Intercultural Information Ethics. Foundations and applications. Journal of Information,
Communication & Ethics in Society, Vol. 6, No. 2, 116-126. http://www.capurro.de/iiebangkok.html
Capurro, R., Frühbauer, J., Hausmanninger, Th. (Eds.) (2007), Localizing the Internet: ethical aspects in
intercultural perspective. Munich: Fink
Capurro, R. (2007): Intercultural Information Ethics. In: Rafael Capurro, Johannes Frühbauer, Thomas
Hausmanninger (Eds.): Localizing the Internet. Ethical Aspects in Intercultural Perspective. ICIE Series,
Munich: Fink, pp. 21-38. http://www.capurro.de/iie.html
Froehlich, Thomas J. (2004): A brief history of information ethics. Textos universitaris de bibliioteconomia i
documentació, 3. http://www.ub.es/bid/13froel2.htm
Himma, K.E. and Tavani, H.T. (Eds.) (2008): The Handbook of Information and Computer Ethics. Hoboken,
New Jersey: Wiley & Sons.
Hongladarom, S. and Ess, Ch. (Eds.) (2007) Information Technology Ethics: Cultural Perspectives. Hershey PA
and London: Idea Group Reference.
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