Increasing Transparency When Assessing the Impact of Technology on Human Well-Being: A Capability Approach Perspective

摘要

The authors argue that the impact of technological artifacts on well-being is inconsistently assessed since evaluation criteria are conditioned by the definition of technology, the moral perspective taken, and the heterogeneity of interests at stake. An analytical framework is proposed to structure this evaluation process. It is based on the capability approach and uses Nussbaum's list of central capabilities and the five moral principles put forward by Peterson for the ethical evaluation of technology. An illustration of the framework applied to automobility is provided.