Can technological artefacts be moral agents? Academic Article

abstract

• In this paper we discuss the hypothesis that, 'moral agency is distributed over both humans and technological artefacts', recently proposed by Peter-Paul Verbeek. We present some arguments for thinking that Verbeek is mistaken. We argue that artefacts such as bridges, word processors, or bombs can never be (part of) moral agents. After having discussed some possible responses, as well as a moderate view proposed by Illies and Meijers, we conclude that technological artefacts are neutral tools that are at most bearers of instrumental value.

authors

• Peterson, Martin

published proceedings

• Sci Eng Ethics

altmetric score

• 6

author list (cited authors)

• Peterson, M., & Spahn, A.

citation count

• 28

complete list of authors

• Peterson, Martin||Spahn, Andreas

publication date

• September 2011

publisher

• Springer Nature  Publisher

published in

• Science and Engineering Ethics  Journal

keywords

• Bombs
• Computers
• Engineering
• Ethical Theory
• Humans
• Social Values
• Technology

PubMed Central ID

• 20927601

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1007/s11948-010-9241-3

start page

• 411

end page

• 424

volume

• 17

issue

• 3

URL

• http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11948-010-9241-3