Narrative and Technology Ethics

This insightful work explores how technologies tell stories that shape our experiences, offering a new framework for ethics in the digital age.

This book proposes that technologies, much like texts, novels, and movies, ‘tell stories’ that shape our lived experiences in the Digital Age. The influence of technology on our daily lives is growing rapidly; innovations in robotics challenge traditional notions of work, emerging biotechnologies reshape our understanding of self, and blockchain-based smart contracts significantly alter interpersonal relationships. In examining the importance of these technologies, the authors, Reijers and Coeckelbergh, draw upon the philosophical hermeneutics of Paul Ricoeur to develop a novel narrative approach to the philosophy and ethics of technology.

The journey begins with a discussion of the philosophy of praxis, moving through a hermeneutic understanding of technical practice that engages with thinkers like MacIntyre, Heidegger, and Ricoeur. The authors then delve into Vallor's virtue ethics and Ricoeur’s ethical aspirations, ultimately leading to the formulation of a practical method designed to guide ethical considerations in research and innovation. This comprehensive exploration culminates in the establishment of a compelling hermeneutic ethics of technology.

'Narrative and Technology Ethics' provides a concrete framework for practitioners, enabling them to weave ethical considerations into their everyday technical practices. By offering insights into the relationship between narrative and technology, the book serves as a vital resource for understanding how ethical principles can be integrated into the rapidly evolving landscape of technological innovation.