Philosophy of Value: Intrinsic vs Instrumental Value

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Questions and Answers

What is privacy considered in relation to a good life?

Neither necessary nor intrinsically valuable

Instrumentally valuable

Necessary but not intrinsically valuable (correct)

Intrinsically valuable

What is the main argument of reductionist accounts of privacy?

Privacy is derived from other moral values (correct)

Privacy is an end in itself

Privacy is a means to an end

Privacy is a fundamental human right

What is the main difference between reductionist and non-reductionist accounts of privacy?

The existence of moral considerations unique to privacy (correct)

The role of human dignity

The impact of ICT technologies

The importance of autonomy

According to Van den Hoven, what is one of the moral considerations that privacy derives its importance from?

Prevention of information-based harm Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of using the notion of privacy, according to Katell and Moore?

It is useful in many practical contexts Signup and view all the answers

What is the main criticism of reductionist accounts of privacy?

They fail to recognize the unique moral considerations of privacy Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between privacy and other values, according to non-reductionist accounts?

Privacy is part of a broader value cluster Signup and view all the answers

What is the context in which the notion of privacy is often framed, according to Katell and Moore?

Social and political debates about ICT technologies Signup and view all the answers

What is a source of bias that emerges from the use of a system?

Emergent bias Signup and view all the answers

What has further increased the problem of bias?

The use of big data and self-learning algorithms Signup and view all the answers

Why is large-scale data collection for cybersecurity vulnerable to bias?

Because non-discrimination is not considered in the design, training, and use of algorithms Signup and view all the answers

How may cybersecurity measures affect democracy?

They may both protect and undermine democratic liberties Signup and view all the answers

What is a concern about the strategic use of cybersecurity by national governments?

It may undermine the civil liberties of citizens Signup and view all the answers

Why may the use of cybersecurity by national governments lack democratic legitimacy?

Because it is secretive Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of how cyberattacks may undermine the democratic process?

The hacking of the Democratic Party Signup and view all the answers

What is a value that is relevant to cybersecurity?

Democracy Signup and view all the answers

What is the third value cluster relevant to cybersecurity?

Fairness Signup and view all the answers

Why are fairness and justice important values in cybersecurity?

Because they ensure equal distribution of costs and benefits Signup and view all the answers

What is the concern raised by cybersecurity measures in terms of democracy?

They may require democratic legitimation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consideration when evaluating a cybersecurity measure in terms of fairness?

Distribution of costs and benefits Signup and view all the answers

What is the likely outcome if certain cybersecurity measures are not taken for efficiency reasons?

Distributional effects Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between fairness and equality?

Fairness is connected to values such as equality Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern of fairness in the context of cybersecurity?

That the costs and benefits of cybersecurity measures are distributed fairly Signup and view all the answers

What is the reason why fairness and justice are important in the context of cybersecurity?

Because they are important in the distribution of costs and benefits Signup and view all the answers

What is a concern about government agencies finding cybersecurity weaknesses?

They may strategically keep them secret to use against other countries. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of government agencies keeping cybersecurity weaknesses secret?

It increases cybersecurity risks for citizens and companies. Signup and view all the answers

What is a fairness concern related to government agencies keeping cybersecurity weaknesses secret?

Citizens and companies have to bear the burden of the costs of cybersecurity threats. Signup and view all the answers

In which situation is accountability particularly relevant to cybersecurity?

When someone (allegedly) harms someone else. Signup and view all the answers

What is a value related to accountability in cybersecurity?

Transparency Signup and view all the answers

What does accountability imply in situations where an agent did something wrong or caused undue harm?

An obligation to account for one's actions and their consequences. Signup and view all the answers

What may happen if an agent's account for their actions and their consequences is unsatisfactory?

The agent is considered blameworthy or liable. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a situation where accountability is relevant in cybersecurity?

A government agency is introducing cybersecurity measures that may harm citizens. Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of a value conflict?

When two values provide opposite or contradictory evaluations Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of a value conflict between two values?

One value is good, and the other is bad Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of two conflicting values in cybersecurity?

Transparency and confidentiality Signup and view all the answers

How do values conflict in terms of their practical implications?

They express or correspond to contradictory norms or reasons for actions Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of interpretation and judgment in determining value conflicts?

It is necessary for both the values at stake and the context Signup and view all the answers

What is conceptualisation in the context of values?

The providing of a definition, analysis or description of a value Signup and view all the answers

What is the relative frequency of value conflicts arising from semantic level of values?

Relatively rare Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of conflicting values in terms of their evaluations?

One value is evaluated as good, and the other is evaluated as bad Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Privacy

Privacy is a value that is necessary for a good life, but it's not necessarily intrinsically valuable and can't be replaced by other means.
There are two accounts of privacy: reductionist and non-reductionist.
Reductionist accounts argue that privacy's moral importance is based on other values such as autonomy, human dignity, and liberty.
Non-reductionist accounts argue that privacy articulates moral considerations and corresponds to moral reasons that can't be fully expressed by other values.

Privacy (Van den Hoven's Argument)

Van den Hoven argues that privacy derives its moral importance from four types of moral considerations:
- Prevention of information-based harm.
- Prevention of informational inequality.
- Prevention of informational injustice.
- Respect for moral autonomy.

Fairness

Fairness is a value that is relevant to cybersecurity because cybersecurity threats and measures impact people differently, raising fairness issues.
Fairness is connected to values such as equality, justice, non-discrimination, and freedom from bias.
Democracy is also a relevant value because some cybersecurity measures may require democratic legitimation rather than being controlled by private actors.

Fairness (Bias)

Friedman and Nissenbaum (1996) identify three sources of bias:
- Pre-existing bias in human practices, institutions, and attitudes.
- Technical bias resulting from technical requirements and constraints.
- Emergent bias that emerges from the use of the system.
The increased use of big data and self-learning algorithms has further increased the problem of bias.

Fairness (Democracy)

Cyberattacks can undermine the democratic process.
Cybersecurity measures can protect democratic liberties such as freedom of speech.
However, cybersecurity measures can also undermine democracy, particularly if used strategically by national governments for national security aims.

Accountability

Accountability is relevant to cybersecurity in situations where someone allegedly harms someone else or infringes on their rights.
Accountability is also relevant in situations with power imbalances between agents, where the more powerful agent introduces rules or measures that may harm the less powerful ones.
Accountability is closely related to responsibility and its different meanings, such as blameworthiness, liability, and obligation-responsibility.

What Are Value Conflicts?

Value conflicts occur when two or more values provide opposite or contradictory evaluations of the same state-of-affairs.
Value conflicts can derive from oppositions at the semantic level of values or from the practical implications of values.
The question of which reasons a value corresponds to is one of interpretation and judgment, depending on the value at stake and the specific context.

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Description

Explore the philosophical concepts of intrinsic and instrumental values in the context of a good life. Evaluate the role of privacy in reductionist and non-reductionist accounts.