The Field
Contributions to the field can be submitted for publication in the: International Review of Information Ethics (IRIE)
This presentation is divided into three chapters:
1. Foundations
Introduction
1.1 Information Ethics as Applied Ethics
1.2 Information Ethics as a Descriptive and Emancipatory Theory
1.3 Ethics for Information Specialists
See:
A brief history of information ethics by Thomas Froehlich.
Computer and Information Ethics by Terrell Bynum.
We draw a distinction between:
- Morals: customs and traditions
- Ethics: critical reflection on morals
- Law: norms formally approved by state power or international political bodies.
1.1 Information Ethics as Applied Ethics
Information ethics deals with ethical questions particularly:
- in the Internet (cyberethics; information ethics in a narrower sense)
- in computer science (computer ethics)
- in the biological and medical sciences (bioinformation ethics)
- in the mass media (media ethics)
- in the library and information science field (library ethics)
- in the business field (business information ethics)
1.2 Information Ethics as a Descriptive and Emancipatory Theory
Information ethics as:
- a descriptive theory explores the power structures influencing informational attitudes and traditions in different cultures and epochs.
- an emancipatory theory develops criticisms of moral attitudes and traditions in the information field at an individual and collective level. It includes normative aspects.
Information ethics explores and evaluates:
- the development of moral values in the information field,
- the creation of new power structures in the information field,
- information myths,
- hidden contradictions and intentionalities in information theories and practices,
- the development of ethical conflicts in the information field.
1.3 Ethics for Information Specialists
Educational goals:
- to be able to recognize and articulate ethical conflicts in the information field,
- to activate the sense of responsibility with regard to the consequences of individual and collective interactions in the information field,
- to improve the qualification for intercultural dialogue on the basis of the recognition of different kinds of information cultures and values,
- to provide basic knowledge about ethical theories and concepts and about their relevance in everyday information work.
See Also:
International Center for Information Ethics
Wikipedia / Information ethics
