Philosophy 217 - Data Ethics

The emergence and rapid development of networked information technologies has produced an enormous amount of data about us, from our consumer habits and financial histories to our health histories and social media identities. This class considers ethical questions in connection with the collection, use, and storage of data, considering empirical research in the natural sciences, social sciences and computer sciences against the backdrop of philosophical conceptions of consent, privacy, personal identity, and equality. Students will analyze ethical questions prompted by the generation of data, and social implications of data-driven governance, considering possible theoretical and policy guiding responses. (E)