Track Thyself? The Value and Ethics of Self-knowledge Through Technology

Bibliographic Data

ID19563271
AuthorsMuriel Leuenberger (0000-0002-5427-0108, University of Zurich, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume37
Issue1
Pages13-13
Publication date2024-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePhilosophy & Technology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2210-5433 • E-ISSN: 2210-5441
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s13347-024-00704-4
PMID38288051
OpenAlexW4391282132
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited49

Novel technological devices, applications, and algorithms can provide us with a vast amount of personal information about ourselves. Given that we have ethical and practical reasons to pursue self-knowledge, should we use technology to increase our self-knowledge? And which ethical issues arise from the pursuit of technologically sourced self-knowledge? In this paper, I explore these questions in relation to bioinformation technologies (health and activity trackers, DTC genetic testing, and DTC neurotechnologies) and algorithmic profiling used for recommender systems, targeted advertising, and technologically supported decision-making. First, I distinguish between impersonal, critical, and relational self-knowledge. Relational self-knowledge is a so far neglected dimension of self-knowledge which is introduced in this paper. Next, I investigate the contribution of these technologies to the three types of self-knowledge and uncover the connected ethical concerns. Technology can provide a lot of impersonal self-knowledge, but we should focus on the quality of the information which tends to be particularly insufficient for marginalized groups. In terms of critical self-knowledge, the nature of technologically sourced personal information typically impedes critical engagement. The value of relational self-knowledge speaks in favour of transparency of information technology, notably for algorithms that are involved in decision-making about individuals. Moreover, bioinformation technologies and digital profiling shape the concepts and norms that define us. We should ensure they not only serve commercial interests but our identity and self-knowledge interests

Computer security · Epistemology · Information technology · Knowledge management · Philosophy of science · Philosophy of technology · Self · Self-knowledge · Computer Science · Ethics and Social Impacts of AI · Ethics in Clinical Research · Misinformation and Its Impacts · Psychology · Social Psychology

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