Abstract
This essay warns of eroding accountability in computerized societies. It argues that assumptions about computing and features of situations in which computers are produced create barriers to accountability. Drawing on philosophical analyses of moral blame and responsibility, four barriers are identified: 1) the problem of many hands, 2) the problem of bugs, 3) blaming the computer, and 4) software ownership without liability. The paper concludes with ideas on how to reverse this trend.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 25-42 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | Science and Engineering Ethics |
| Volume | 2 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| State | Published - 1996 |
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Keywords
- Accountability
- Bugs
- Computer ethics
- Liability
- Moral responsibility
- Standard of care
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Cite this
Accountability in a computerized society. / Nissenbaum, Helen.
In: Science and Engineering Ethics, Vol. 2, No. 1, 1996, p. 25-42.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Accountability in a computerized society
AU - Nissenbaum, Helen
PY - 1996
Y1 - 1996
N2 - This essay warns of eroding accountability in computerized societies. It argues that assumptions about computing and features of situations in which computers are produced create barriers to accountability. Drawing on philosophical analyses of moral blame and responsibility, four barriers are identified: 1) the problem of many hands, 2) the problem of bugs, 3) blaming the computer, and 4) software ownership without liability. The paper concludes with ideas on how to reverse this trend.
AB - This essay warns of eroding accountability in computerized societies. It argues that assumptions about computing and features of situations in which computers are produced create barriers to accountability. Drawing on philosophical analyses of moral blame and responsibility, four barriers are identified: 1) the problem of many hands, 2) the problem of bugs, 3) blaming the computer, and 4) software ownership without liability. The paper concludes with ideas on how to reverse this trend.
KW - Accountability
KW - Bugs
KW - Computer ethics
KW - Liability
KW - Moral responsibility
KW - Standard of care
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0005095809&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
VL - 2
SP - 25
EP - 42
JO - Science and Engineering Ethics
JF - Science and Engineering Ethics
SN - 1353-3452
IS - 1
ER -