Technology and moral change: the transformation of truth and trust

Technologies can have profound effects on social moral systems. Is there any way to systematically investigate and anticipate these potential effects? This paper aims to contribute to this emerging field on inquiry through a case study method. It focuses on two core human values-truth and trust-describes their structural properties and conceptualisations, and then considers various mechanisms through which technology is changing and can change our perspective on those values. In brief, the paper argues that technology is transforming these values by changing the costs/benefits of accessing them; allowing us to substitute those values for other, closely-related ones; increasing their perceived scarcity/abundance; and disrupting traditional value-gatekeepers. This has implications for how we study other, technologically-mediated, value changes.

Automated summary

This paper contributes to the emerging field of studying the effects of technology on social moral systems, focusing on the core human values of truth and trust. Through a case study method, the paper describes the structural properties and conceptualizations of these values, and explores various mechanisms through which technology can change our perspective on them. The study finds that technology transforms these values by altering the costs/benefits of accessing them, substituting closely-related values, increasing their perceived scarcity/abundance, and disrupting traditional value-gatekeepers.