The podcast explores the role of technology in behavior change and control. It discusses the historical connection between philosophy and self-help, the challenge of controlling our lives with technology, and the ethical implications of behavior change technologies. The speakers also address the dimensions of control and the feminist critique of autonomy.
Technology can play a significant role in facilitating behavior change by providing motivation, tracking progress, and creating gamified incentives.
The concept of control has multiple dimensions, including value alignment, interventions, understanding, monitoring, and robustness, and it can be exercised by different individuals or organizations in various circumstances.
Autonomy and self-control are generally seen as positive virtues, while control exerted by others is typically viewed as negative and can raise ethical concerns.
Deep dives
Behavior change and control
Behavior change involves forming new habits and patterns of behavior. It often involves the challenge of giving up or changing certain habits and adopting healthier or more desired behaviors. Behavior change is not simply a one-time action, but the establishment of new habits over time. Control is a complex concept with various dimensions, including value alignment, interventions, understanding, monitoring, and robustness. Control can be spread across different individuals or organizations, and the level of control can vary depending on the circumstances and individuals involved.
Technology's Role in Behavior Change
Technology plays a significant role in facilitating behavior change. It can provide motivation, track progress, offer reminders, and create gamified incentives. Examples include running apps that track kilometers, provide leaderboards, and allow for social interaction. Social media platforms use gamification techniques to keep users engaged and returning. Technology can enhance existing motivation or create new habits through extrinsic motivation and external incentives.
Understanding Control
Control has multiple dimensions, including value alignment, interventions, understanding, monitoring, and robustness. The subject of control refers to the entity or individual exercising control, while the object of control is what or whom is being controlled. The concept of control itself can be value-neutral, but it becomes more complex when linked to concepts such as autonomy and liberty, which carry ethical connotations. Autonomy and self-control are often seen as positive, while control by others is typically viewed as negative.
Value-Laden Concepts: Autonomy and Liberty
Autonomy and liberty are closely linked to control and carry ethical significance. Autonomy refers to the individual's ability to self-govern and make decisions in line with their values. It is often associated with self-control and seen as a virtue. Liberty, on the other hand, involves the absence of control by others and is related to personal freedom. Assessing the ethical value of control depends on whether it is self-control or control by others, which can have differing implications.
The Value of Self-Control and Autonomy
Self-control is generally seen as a virtue, while controlling others is viewed negatively in a liberal individualistic society. However, other ethical traditions may have different perspectives on self-control. Some argue that trying to control too much or exercising excessive self-control can be ethically problematic. Ancient stoic philosophy emphasizes the importance of accepting things beyond our control and focusing on our reaction to events. Modern therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy, also stress the negative effects of trying to control things beyond our control. Another consideration is that self-control is just one virtue among many, and a balanced set of virtues is important. Imposing excessive control on oneself or focusing solely on control can hinder the development of other virtues like generosity, compassion, or wisdom. Immanuel Kant adds that self-control alone is not enough, as a fundamental moral disposition is required to ensure proper use of self-control and prevent it from being used for immoral ends.
The Clash between Technology and the Ideal of Self-Control
Technology's influence on control in our lives is a double-edged sword. While some apps or services can assist in self-control, such as exercise tracking apps, their competitive aspects may not suit everyone. However, excessive use of technology, especially social media, can lead to a loss of control in our daily lives. The feeling of being trapped in endless loops, constant social media notifications, and the pressures of self-comparison contribute to a sense of being controlled by technology. This clashes with the ideal of self-control and autonomy in liberal ideologies. At the same time, technology enabling behavior change raises questions about power dynamics and control over individuals. Tech companies exert influence over our behavior through apps, notifications, and personalized experiences, challenging the principles of individual self-control and autonomy.
In this episode, John and Sven talk about the role that technology can play in changing our behaviour. In doing so, they note the long and troubled history of philosophy and self-help. They also ponder whether we can use technology to control our lives or whether technology controls us.
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