Reflect Yourself!

Dietrich, Manuel; Laerhoven, Kristof Van

doi:10.1007/978-3-658-13137-1_12

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 11 publications

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“…The literature concerned with self-knowledge through technology primarily explores self-tracking technology and largely considers as self-evident that technology can contribute to self-knowledge and mediate self-reflection (Dietrich & Van Laerhoven, 2016 ; Lanzing, 2016 ; Lupton, 2016 ). The promise of self-knowledge is often a motivating factor for buying and using this technology – the slogan of the Quantified Self Movement is self-knowledge through numbers – and a major element in the advertisement of self-tracking technologies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Track Thyself? The Value and Ethics of Self-knowledge Through Technology

Leuenberger

2024

Philos. Technol.

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Novel technological devices, applications, and algorithms can provide us with a vast amount of personal information about ourselves. Given that we have ethical and practical reasons to pursue self-knowledge, should we use technology to increase our self-knowledge? And which ethical issues arise from the pursuit of technologically sourced self-knowledge? In this paper, I explore these questions in relation to bioinformation technologies (health and activity trackers, DTC genetic testing, and DTC neurotechnologies) and algorithmic profiling used for recommender systems, targeted advertising, and technologically supported decision-making. First, I distinguish between impersonal, critical, and relational self-knowledge. Relational self-knowledge is a so far neglected dimension of self-knowledge which is introduced in this paper. Next, I investigate the contribution of these technologies to the three types of self-knowledge and uncover the connected ethical concerns. Technology can provide a lot of impersonal self-knowledge, but we should focus on the quality of the information which tends to be particularly insufficient for marginalized groups. In terms of critical self-knowledge, the nature of technologically sourced personal information typically impedes critical engagement. The value of relational self-knowledge speaks in favour of transparency of information technology, notably for algorithms that are involved in decision-making about individuals. Moreover, bioinformation technologies and digital profiling shape the concepts and norms that define us. We should ensure they not only serve commercial interests but our identity and self-knowledge interests.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Track Thyself? The Value and Ethics of Self-knowledge Through Technology

Leuenberger

2024

Philos. Technol.

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Digital Technologies of the Self: Instrumental Rationality or Creative Integrity?

Ivanov

Ivanov²,

Ivashchenko

2021

Technology, Innovation and Creativity in Digital Society

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Making sense with sensors: Self-tracking and the temporalities of wellbeing

Berg

2017

DIGITAL HEALTH

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Self-tracking devices and apps often measure and provide interpretations of personal data in a rather straightforward way, for instance by visualising the speed and distance of a run or the quality of sleep during night. There is, however, a growing number of devices claiming to support increased wellbeing by extensive data analysis to provide insights and algorithmic advice about unseen and neglected dimensions of our lives, bodies, and experiences. This article engages with two devices of this kind, namely the Moodmetric and the ŌURA which are two recently released ‘smart’ rings with associated smartphone apps that claim to measure emotions and rest, promote happiness and help users to perform better. Focusing on how certain values, visions and ideas are used to frame and explain the potential functionality of these devices, this article approaches the discursive underpinnings of their design as deeply intertwined with the temporalities of late modernity. Empirically, the article is based on a discourse analysis of blog posts, marketing materials and user guides from the ŌURA and Moodmetric companies along with video recordings of the public appearances and sales pitches of company representatives.

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Reflect Yourself!

Cited by 3 publications

References 11 publications

Track Thyself? The Value and Ethics of Self-knowledge Through Technology

Track Thyself? The Value and Ethics of Self-knowledge Through Technology

Digital Technologies of the Self: Instrumental Rationality or Creative Integrity?

Making sense with sensors: Self-tracking and the temporalities of wellbeing

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