ABSTRACT
Trained as a philosopher, the author nevertheless increasingly drawn toward the science and engineering of information technology in her work on its ethical, social, and political dimensions. A compelling and mysterious idea emerged from this project: Computer and information systems can embody values. The story of how information technology has radically altered the people lives and even themselves has been told many times, in many versions. Common to both research categories is the direction of causation: Information technology changes the world, and some of these changes challenge previous commitments to values and principles. The idea of systems embodying values—its practical aspects and challenges—presents disquieting implications for both groups. It may be difficult to address such questions, however, because factors in the real world—such as bosses, shareholders, regulations, competitors, and resource limits—can prove hostile to yet another layer of constraints. Facing the challenge that values in technology present need not be an all-or-nothing business.
