John Weckert and Rogelio Bayod present a comprehensive examination of the intersection between ethics, technology, and Indigenous worldviews. The authors argue that the ethics of technology, which largely remains a peripheral concern in technological developments, could significantly benefit from the incorporation of Indigenous perspectives. They contend that the entrenched paradigms of Western thought, with their focus on materialism, individualism, efficiency, and progress, often marginalize ethical considerations. This, they suggest, is where Indigenous worldviews, which emphasize relationality, spirituality, and a reciprocal relationship with the Earth, could offer a potent alternative.
A key aspect of Indigenous thought highlighted in the paper is the concept of relationality. Indigenous worldviews often consider all entities, living and non-living, as interconnected and mutually influential. This view contrasts with the Western conceptualization of individual entities as distinct and primarily self-interested. Consequently, incorporating this perspective into the ethics of technology could help shift the focus from the maximization of individual benefits to the maintenance of collective well-being. The paper also underscores the Indigenous emphasis on spirituality, where both natural and man-made objects can hold spiritual or non-material significance. This perspective could help challenge the prevailing Western materialistic worldview, fostering a more holistic understanding of technological artifacts and their value.
The authors propose that integrating these Indigenous concepts could provide a foundation for a reimagined Western worldview, even if these elements are interpreted metaphorically rather than literally. Such a worldview, they argue, would not only challenge the prevailing emphasis on materialistic values but could also facilitate a more beneficial development and use of technology. This reframed paradigm would prioritize environmental health, reduce the production of disposable products, and lessen the focus on profitability, efficiency, and individualism. Instead, it would place greater emphasis on care for the Earth, kinship, relationships, and spirituality.
This research contributes to broader philosophical discussions around the ethics of technology and futures studies. It offers a critical reframing of our relationship with technology, drawing on Indigenous worldviews to challenge dominant Western paradigms. By doing so, it highlights the value of diverse perspectives in shaping our technological futures and raises critical questions around the role of values and worldviews in guiding technological development. This paper thus adds to ongoing debates around decolonizing technology and futures studies, and extends them into the sphere of ethics.
The paper suggests numerous avenues for future research. Given its emphasis on the potential of Indigenous worldviews, further explorations could delve deeper into specific Indigenous perspectives on technology, drawing from a wider range of cultures and traditions. Another promising area for future research could involve examining how these Indigenous values could be operationalized within different technological domains, and the possible impacts this could have. Finally, there is a significant need for empirical research on how this paradigm shift might be achieved, and the potential barriers and facilitators involved. This research paper thus opens the door to a rich array of investigations that could fundamentally reshape our understanding of the ethics of technology.
Abstract
The ethics of technology is not as effective as it should. Despite decades of ethical discussion, development and use of new technologies continues apace without much regard to those discussions. Economic and other forces are too powerful. More focus needs to be placed on the values that underpin social attitudes to technology. By seriously looking at Indigenous thought and comparing it with the typical Western way of seeing the world, we can gain a better understanding of our own views. The Indigenous Filipino worldview provides us with a platform for assessing our own core values and suggests modifications to those values. It also indicates ways for broadening and altering the focus of the ethics of technology to make it more effective in helping us to use technologies in ways more conducive to human well-being.
The Ethics of Technology: How Can Indigenous Thought Contribute?