Technological paternalism: On how medicine has reformed ethics and how technology can refine moral theory

Abstract

The objective of this article is to investigate ethical aspects of technology through the moral term "paternalism". The field of investigation is medicine. The reason for this is twofold. Firstly, "paternalism" has gained moral relevance through modern medicine, where physicians have been accused of behaving paternalistic and threatening patients' autonomy. Secondly, medicine is a brilliant area to scrutinise the evaluative aspects of technology. It is argued that paternalism is a morally relevant term for the ethics of technology, but that its traditional conception is not adequate to address the challenges of modern technology. A modification towards a "technological paternalism" is necessary. That is, "technological paternalism" is a fruitful term in the ethics of technology. Moreover, it is suited to point out the deficiencies of the traditional concept of paternalism and to reform and vitalise the conception of paternalism in ethics in order to handle the challenges of technology.

Correcting the Brain? The Convergence of Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, Psychiatry, and Artificial Intelligence

“…This might be said to occur given the role of neural imaging in diagnosis, for instance. In using technologies to identify neurotypical states, and thereby indicating neurodivergence, there is a risk of ‘technological paternalism’ (Hofmann 2003 ), or untenable faith in the objectivity of a device’s outputs. This would be an unwarranted reduction of self-reported experience to objectively observable neural activity.…”

Emancipatory reflection on a nursing practice-based ethical issue about nurses’ paternalistic decision-making for patients

“…Although it is purported that these rules are primarily guided by scientific principles, such principles are usually generated and disseminated by the health-care institutes themselves. 3 Therefore, these principles cannot keep off the suspicion of paternalism, 48 which is the way of self-interest for health-care workers with least resistance from the patients. 3 Moreover, health-care workers, including nurses, routinely conform to various scientific standards and guidelines to provide treatment to patients, with little care about their actual willingness.…”

“…As Hofmann said, paternalism may be hidden behind the veil of technology and science. 48 Secondly, power was also involved in the relationship between patients and me. 49 It is apparent that medical knowledge, nursing experience, and skills made me have authority in the nursing field.…”

Learning Analytics and Its Paternalistic Influences

“…With these things considered, Hoffmann [14] argues that technological paternalism is characterized by four facets. First, technological opacity makes it "incomprehensible" for individuals to make informed decisions about how to use technology and avoid paternalism.…”