The Virtuous Technologist

How the Enlightenment failed to provide Technologists any guidance on Ethics, and how a more classical approach might yet save us

150 mins - mix of presentation

Abstract

How ought we to act? How might we flourish and live well, contributing positively to society?

Why is it that Technologists struggle with answering these most basic Ethical questions ? Why is it that there is no coherent or largely adopted approach ? Should we abandon all hope of ever finding an Ethical approach to Technology, or is there a different approach that might provide us some possibilities?

This session is aimed at educating the audience about a pre-Enlightenment approach to Ethics based on the ideas involving Virtues.

A combination of presentation and group work will provide tools and techniques that can be used by individuals and teams to examine and develop their Ethical approach. What are the Virtues for a Technologist? How might we learn and develop these Virtues?


Audience background

Some experience in providing Technology, either as developer or manager. No particular skills or knowledge required.

Benefits of participating

- Discover more about Moral Philosophy and Ethics, and get inspired to adopt an Ethical approach to Technology
- Learn some practical techniques for developing a Virtue-based approach to Ethics that can be of benefit personally and to your team
- Time to reflect upon Technology Ethics

Materials provided

- presentation materials
- possibly some "flash cards" (depends)
(will need usual flip-charts, stickies, pens, etc.)

Process

Polemical presentation initially, followed by presentation of techniques and group work to practice and develop ideas

Detailed timetable

0-5 Intro
5-15 A brief history of Moral Philosophy and why the Enlightenment failed us
15-30 An introduction to Virtue Ethics
30-45 What are the Vices and Virtues of a Technologist ?
45-60 Questioning Vices and Virtues (Socratic Questioning)
60-70 (break)
70-80 How might we learn the Virtues?
80-110 What might a programme for Virtuous Technology look like?
110-145 Sharing the Ideas
145-150 Session Summary

Outputs

Posters by groups on potential Virtues
Posters by groups on potential programmes for Virtue-based Ethics

History

Have not run this particular session anywhere before, but have a history of recent Moral/Ethical sessions with clients and at conferences. Long history of presenting at SPA (and OT!)

Presenters

  1. John Nolan
    Masabi