Algorithms, Agency, and Respect for Persons.

Algorithmic systems and predictive analytics play an increasingly important role in various aspects of modern life. Scholarship on the moral ramifications of such systems is in its early stages, and much of it focuses on bias and harm. This paper argues that in understanding the moral salience of al...

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Published in:Social Theory & Practice Vol. 46; no. 3; pp. 547 - 573
Main Authors: Rubel, Alan, Castro, Clinton, Pham, Adam
Format: Article
Published: Florida State University Jul2020
Subjects:
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Jul2020
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      pub: Florida State University
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        atl: Algorithms, Agency, and Respect for Persons.
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          Rubel, Alan
          Castro, Clinton
          Pham, Adam
        affil:
          University of Wisconsin-Madison
          Florida International University
      su:
        Criminal sentencing
        Teacher evaluation
        Respect
        Algorithms
        Patient autonomy
      sug:
        subj:
          Criminal sentencing
          Teacher evaluation
          Respect
          Algorithms
          Patient autonomy
      keyword:
        agency
        agency laundering
        algorithm
        automation
        autonomy
        big data
        COMPAS
        criminal sentencing
        ethics
        Loomis
        transparency
        agency
        agency laundering
        algorithm
        automation
        autonomy
        big data
        COMPAS
        criminal sentencing
        ethics
        Loomis
        transparency
      ab: Algorithmic systems and predictive analytics play an increasingly important role in various aspects of modern life. Scholarship on the moral ramifications of such systems is in its early stages, and much of it focuses on bias and harm. This paper argues that in understanding the moral salience of algorithmic systems it is essential to understand the relation between algorithms, autonomy, and agency. We draw on several recent cases in criminal sentencing and K-12 teacher evaluation to outline four key ways in which issues of agency, autonomy, and respect for persons can conflict with algorithmic decision-making. Three of these involve failures to treat individual agents with the respect they deserve. The fourth involves distancing oneself from a morally suspect action by attributing one's decision to take that action to an algorithm, thereby laundering one's agency.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Article
      src: R
    language: English
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