PHM-Ethics and ETICA: complementary approaches to ethical assessment

Area of Science:

• Technology Ethics
• Innovation Governance
• Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)

Background:

• Two research projects, ETICA and PHM-Ethics, focused on ethical assessments of emerging technologies.
• ETICA specifically addressed information and communication technologies (ICTs) for the next 10-15 years.
• PHM-Ethics developed assessment methodologies for ethical considerations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the approaches, aims, methods, and outcomes of the ETICA and PHM-Ethics projects.
• To identify linkages and complementary aspects between the two projects' ethical assessment strategies.
• To analyze how PHM-Ethics' outcomes can inform ETICA's policy recommendations for EU ethics governance reform.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of the aims, methods, outcomes, and recommendations of ETICA and PHM-Ethics.
• Identification of relationships and complementary levels between the assessment methodologies.
• Integration of PHM-Ethics' outcomes within ETICA's policy recommendations for ICT ethics governance.

Main Results:

• The assessment methodologies from ETICA and PHM-Ethics operate at separate yet complementary levels.
• A clear relationship exists where PHM-Ethics' findings support ETICA's goals.
• ETICA's policy recommendations can incorporate PHM-Ethics' toolbox for improved governance.

Conclusions:

• The methodologies of ETICA and PHM-Ethics offer a synergistic approach to ethical technology assessment.
• PHM-Ethics' tools can enhance the context-sensitive ethical evaluation called for by ETICA.
• The combined insights contribute to reforming EU ethics governance for emerging ICTs.