Information technology, responsibility, and anthropology

Information technology (IT) is one potential object of responsibility, as we know from texts about computer ethics, information ethics, etc. This article demonstrates that the ethical problems of computers and IT frequently result from anthropological assumptions. The interaction of humans and computers is more than just the use of a value-neutral tool. The use of IT changes the way we perceive ourselves and the way we discharge our responsibilities. There are positive and negative sides to this anthropological question of responsibility for IT. Computers increase our reach and multiply the amount of information at our disposal. We can know more about more subjects and can communicate with more people than ever before. On the other hand, communication using IT is systematically distorted. If we neglect to take this into account, responsibility for and through IT can lose its legitimacy.