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Distributed for Center for the Study of Language and Information

Human Values and the Design of Computer Technology

When scientists develop computer technologies, they focus on making the machine work reliably and efficiently, and human moral values are not often part of the equation. Perhaps this is due to the belief that technology has a value-neutral nature, and that issues of value are better left to philosophers. Batya Friedman, however, disputes this assumption with arguments that reveal the links between human values and computer technology.

Bringing together leading researchers and system designers, Friedman addresses fascinating and rich questions in Human Values and the Design of Computer Technology: If human values such as freedom of speech and privacy are controversial, then on what basis do some values override others in the design of technology? How can designers bring value-sensitive design into the workplace and still generate revenue? Friedman’s responses to these questions—and more—offer a clarion call for the embrace of value-sensitive design as part of the computer science culture.

"Interesting and important . . . The chapter on computer bugs and accountability alone is worth the trip (or click) to the bookstore."—Michael L. Gordon, Computing Reviews

334 pages | 6 x 9 | © 1998

Lecture Notes

Computer Science

Philosophy: Ethics


Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Contributors
Introduction - BATYA FRIEDMAN
PART I: Conceptualizing Human Values in Design
1. Bias in Computer Systems - BATYA FRIEDMAN AND HELEN NISSENBAUM
2. Accountability in a Computerized Society - HELEN NISSENBAUM
3. Disability, Inability and Cyberspace - JOHN PERRY, ELIZABETH MACKEN, NEIL SCOTT, AND JANICE L. MCKINLEY
4. Do Categories Have Politics? The Language/Action Perspective Reconsidered - LUCY SUCHMAN
5. Categories, Disciplines, and Social Coordination - TERRY WINOGRAD
6. Commentary on Suchman Article and Winograd Response - THOMAS W. MALONE
7. Social Impact Statements: Engaging Public Participation in Information Technology Design - BEN SHNEIDERMAN AND ANNE ROSE
PART II: Computers as Persons? – Implications for Design
8 Computers Are Social Actors: A Review of Current Research - CLIFFORD I. NASS, YOUNGME MOON, John MORKES, EUN-YOUNG KIM, AND B.J. FOGG
9. When the Interface Is a Face - LEE SPROULL, MANI SUBRAMANI, SARA KIESLER, JANET WALKER, AND KEITH WATERS
10. ‘Social’ Human – Computer Interaction - SARA KIESLER AND LEE SPROULL
11. Reasoning About Computers As Moral Agents: A Research Note - BANYA FRIEDMAN AND LYNETTE I. MILLETT
12. Interface Agents: Metaphors with Character - BRENDA LAUREL
13. Human Agency and Responsible Computing: Implications for Computer System Design - BATYA FRIEDMAN AND PETER H. KAHN, Jr.
PART III: Practicing Value-Sensitive Design
14. Workplace Database Systems: Difficulties of Data Collection and Presentation - HARRY HOCHHEISER
15. Eliminating a Hardware Switch: Weighing Economics and Values in a Design Decision - JOHN C. TANG
16. Steps toward Universal Access Within a Communications Company - JOHN C. THOMAS
17. Social Choice About Privacy: Intelligent Vehicle-Highway Systems in the United States - PHILIP E. AGRE AND CHRISTINE A. MAILLOUX
Name Index
Subject Index

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