Presentation
Why Big Data Needs the Virtues
CEPE-IACAP 2015 - June 22-25 2015, University of Delaware
(2015)
Abstract
The Computer Ethics: Philosophical Enquiry (CEPE), sponsored by the International Society for Ethics and Information Technology (INSEIT) and the International Association for Computing and Philosophy (IACAP) ran their first joint international conference, held on June 22nd-25th 2015 at the University of Delaware. The keynote address was presented by Frances Grodzinsky, Professor of Computer Science & Information Technology at Sacred Heart University.
In this paper Dr. Grodzinsky offers a critical reflection on Big Data through the lens of "the virtues" in an attempt to separate much of the "hype" from reality. Part 1 defines what is meant by Big Data and describes why it is valuable. The paper examines its ethical issues in the context of the characteristics of Big Data as exemplified by the 4 V’s: volume, velocity, variety (traditional 3 V’s) and a 4th, veracity. Part 2 considers whether Big Data Science is really a “theory free” science based only on statistical correlations. Part 3 explores the role of the "Big Data Scientist" and her responsibilities as virtuous epistemic agent. Part 4 applies both virtue ethics and virtue epistemology to Big Data, focusing on how it can be used in an ethically responsible way to benefit society. Finally explained is why thinking in terms of the virtues is helpful in the analysis of Big Data. When a Data Scientist habitually acts in accordance with the virtues, she will be better able to cope with the "messiness" and dynamic flux of Big Data with open-mindedness and intellectual courage.
Keywords
- Big data,
- Big Data Scientist,
- ethical responsibility,
- virtue ethics,
- virtue epistemology
Disciplines
Publication Date
June, 2015
Citation Information
Frances Grodzinsky. "Why Big Data Needs the Virtues" CEPE-IACAP 2015 - June 22-25 2015, University of Delaware (2015) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/frances_grodzinsky/60/