Is it morally permissible for financially privileged tourists to visit places for the purpose of
... more Is it morally permissible for financially privileged tourists to visit places for the purpose of
experiencing where poor people live, work, and play? Tourism associated with this
question is commonly referred to as ‘poverty tourism’. While some poverty tourism is
plausibly ethical, other practices will be more controversial. The purpose of this essay is to
address mutually beneficial cases of poverty tourism and advance the following positions.
First, even mutually beneficial transactions between tourists and residents in poverty
tourism always run a risk of being exploitative. Second, there is little opportunity to
determine whether a given tour is exploitative since tourists lack good access to the
residents’ perspectives. Third, if a case of poverty tourism is exploitative, it is so in an
indulgent way; tourists are not compelled to exploit the residents. In light of these
considerations, we conclude that would-be tourists should participate in poverty tours only
if there is a well-established collaborative and consensual process in place, akin to a ‘fair
trade’ process.
We deepen Adam Burgess’ insight that under current conditions nudging cannot solve complex policy... more We deepen Adam Burgess’ insight that under current conditions nudging cannot solve complex policy problems reliably and without controversy. We do so by integrating his concerns about nudging into Braden Allenby and Daniel Sarewitz’s three-leveled model of the basic problems technology can address and generate. We use this model to explain why the UK experiment with nudging has revolved around techno-fixes with limited policy potential, and conclude that nudging is best seen as an emerging form of soft law.
Cass Sunstein and Richard Thaler's Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness... more Cass Sunstein and Richard Thaler's Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness presents an influential account of why 'choice architecture' should be used to 'nudge' people into making better decisions than they would otherwise make. In this essay we: (1) explain the main concepts that Thaler and Sunstein rely upon to defend their project; (2) clarify the main conceptual problems that have arisen in discussions about nudges; (3) clarify practical difficulties that can arise during nudge practice; (4) review the main ethical and political objections that have been raised against nudging; and (5) clarify why issues related to meaning can pose methodological problems for creating effective choice architecture.
In "Artefacts Without Agency,&am... more In "Artefacts Without Agency," Christian Illies and Anthonie Meijers articulate the basic framework of a notion identified as "Action Schemes." We identify an internal inconsistency in their account and offer concrete suggestions on how to avoid it.
Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein’s Nudge advances a theory of how designers can improve decision-... more Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein’s Nudge advances a theory of how designers can improve decision-making in various situations where people have to make choices. We claim that the moral acceptability of nudges hinges in part on whether they can provide an account of the competence required to offer nudges, an account that would serve to warrant our general trust in
There are many social psychological theories regarding the nature of prejudice, but only one majo... more There are many social psychological theories regarding the nature of prejudice, but only one major theory of prejudice reduction: under the right circumstances, prejudice between groups will be reduced with increased contact. On the one hand, the contact hypothesis has a range of empirical support and has been a major force in social change. On the other hand, there are practical and ethical obstacles to any large-scale controlled test of the hypothesis in which relevant variables can be manipulated. Here we construct a spatialized model that tests the core hypothesis in a large array of game-theoretic agents. Robust results offer a new kind of support for the contact hypothesis: results in simulation do accord with a hypothesis of reduced prejudice with increased contact. The spatialized gametheoretic model also suggests a deeper explanation for at least some of the social phenomena at issue.
Connolly As a first step toward remedying this situation-and with an eye toward public policywe a... more Connolly As a first step toward remedying this situation-and with an eye toward public policywe apply spatialized game theory and multi-agent computational modeling as philosophical tools: (1) for assessing the primary social psychological hypothesis regarding prejudice reduction, and (2) for pursuing a deeper understanding of the basic mechanisms of prejudice reduction. Social modeling in general has a philosophical pedigree that extends at least back to Hobbes and Locke. The particular techniques of social simulation employed here are relatively new, however, and raise important questions for the philosophy of science. For that reason we proceed reflexively, commenting throughout on both the promise of simulational techniques for social psychology and public policy and their inherent limitations.
Robustness has long been recognized as an important parameter for evaluating game-theoretic resul... more Robustness has long been recognized as an important parameter for evaluating game-theoretic results, but talk of ‘robustness’ generally remains vague. What we offer here is a graphic measure for a particular kind of robustness (‘matrix robustness’), using a three-dimensional display of the universe of 2 × 2 game theory. In such a measure specific games appear as specific volumes (Prisoner’s Dilemma, Stag Hunt, etc.), allowing a graphic image of the extent of particular game-theoretic effects in terms of those games. The measure also allows for an easy comparison between different effects in terms of matrix robustness. Here we use the measure to compare the robustness of Tit for Tat’s well-known success in spatialized games (Axelrod, R. (1984). The evolution of cooperation. New York: Basic Books; Grim, P. et al. (1998). The philosophical computer: Exploratory essays in philosophical computer modeling. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press) with the robustness of a recent game-theoretic model of the contact hypothesis regarding prejudice reduction (Grim et al. 2005. Public Affairs Quarterly, 19, 95–125).
There are many social psychological theories regarding the
nature of prejudice, but only one maj... more There are many social psychological theories regarding the
nature of prejudice, but only one major theory of prejudice
reduction: under the right circumstances, prejudice between
groups will be reduced with increased contact. On the one hand,
the contact hypothesis has a range of empirical support and has
been a major force in social change. On the other hand, there are
practical and ethical obstacles to any large-scale controlled test
of the hypothesis in which relevant variables can be
manipulated. Here we construct a spatialized model that tests
the core hypothesis in a large array of game-theoretic agents.
Robust results offer a new kind of support for the contact
hypothesis: results in simulation do accord with a hypothesis of
reduced prejudice with increased contact. The spatialized gametheoretic model also suggests a deeper explanation for at least some of the social phenomena at issue.
This paper is a critical examination of Harry Collins's investigation into a third form of knowle... more This paper is a critical examination of Harry Collins's investigation into a third form of knowledge, “interactional expertise.” We argue that although Collins makes a genuine contribution to the phenomenological literature on expertise, his account requires further critical evaluation and response due to pragmatic and ontological considerations. We contend that by refining (in some questionable ways) the category of interactional expertise so as to create epistemological equivalence between activists, sociologists, critics, journalists, and some science administrators, Collins potentially undermines the value that a more rigorously construed concept of interactional expertise might have. We further show that Collins misunderstands the nature of embodiment in a way that is exacerbated by the sociological perspective that he adopts.
Existing pedagogical approaches to ethics education in engineering and science reinforce what thi... more Existing pedagogical approaches to ethics education in engineering and science reinforce what this paper terms "the fallacy of the individual decision-maker" by suggesting an oversimplified, individualistic model of ethical decision-making, rather than recognizing the organizational, cultural, or group deliberative context of an ethical dilemma. Consequently, students fail to develop the group deliberative and ethical reasoning skills necessary to properly recognize and resolve ethical questions. This paper critiques existing approaches and presents an alternative pedagogy that emphasizes active, participatory, and experiential learning that is intended to more deeply immerse students in questions of fairness, justice, and equity in the context of sustainability by playing the Externalities Game. Preliminary testing supports the hypotheses that game play results in deeper consideration of ethical issues, more emotionally engaged students, fosters greater deliberative discourse, and encourages experimentation with different ethical strategies. The Externalities Game may be an appropriate piece of a larger course in sustainability ethics when combined with traditional reading and pedagogical strategies.
The concept of interactional expertise (IE) describes the type of knowledge needed to communicate... more The concept of interactional expertise (IE) describes the type of knowledge needed to communicate effectively with experts from technical disciplines, even without actually practicing in the discipline. Although hard to acquire, IE can be obtained without hands-on experience. Interactional experts include a variety of critics and journalists, as well as peer-review panelists, all of whom can provide criticism, play devil's advocate, tell insider jokes, assess quality and make context-specific judgments. IE is essential for managers of large scientific organizations, as they are required to interact as experts in a wide range of disciplines in which they may have little or no practical experience. IE is also required of scholars working in multidisciplinary research teams, such as in sustainability. The only reliable way to acquire IE in science is through intensive linguistic socialization with disciplinary experts. Given the emergence of novel, integrative graduate education programs in sustainability, universities should consider how education can accelerate the acquisition of IE for the purpose of conducting collaborative sustainability research. We hypothesize that pedagogical strategies adapted from foreign language teaching can prime students for rapid acquisition of interactional expertise. To test our hypothesis, we designed a pilot course for graduate sustainability students around the central idea that acquiring IE is like acquiring a foreign language. We tested the effectiveness of this approach with novel assessment methods through which we were able to gauge the effectiveness of the course and ensure that students learned fundamental thermodynamics concepts. Preliminary results show that the course improves student communication, presents an alternative to traditional thermodynamic instruction and effectively teaches fundamental concepts.
Studies in History and Philosophy of Science, 2007
In this four part exchange, Evan Selinger starts by stating that Collins&... more In this four part exchange, Evan Selinger starts by stating that Collins's empirical evidence in respect of linguistic socialization and its bearing on artificial intelligence and expertise is valuable; it advances philosophical and sociological understanding of the relationship ...
In “Artefacts Without Agency,” Christian Illies and Anthonie Meijers articulate the basic framewo... more In “Artefacts Without Agency,” Christian Illies and Anthonie Meijers articulate the basic framework of a notion identified as “Action Schemes.” We identify an internal inconsistency in their account and offer concrete suggestions on how to avoid it.
Poverty tours-actual visits as well as literary and cinematic versions-are characterized as moral... more Poverty tours-actual visits as well as literary and cinematic versions-are characterized as morally controversial trips and condemned in the press as voyeuristic endeavors. In this collaborative essay, we draw from personal experience, legal expertise, and phenomenological philosophy and introduce a conceptual taxonomy that clarifies the circumstances in which observing others has been construed as an immoral use of the gaze. We appeal to this taxonomy to determine which observational circumstances are relevant to the poverty tourism debate. While we do not defend all or even most poverty tourism practices, we do conclude that categorical condemnation of poverty tourism is unjustified.
Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein’s Nudge advances a theory of how designers can improve decision-... more Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein’s Nudge advances a theory of how designers can improve decision-making in various situations where people have to make choices. We claim that the moral acceptability of nudges hinges in part on whether they can provide an account of the competence required to offer nudges, an account that would serve to warrant our general trust in choice architects. What needs to be considered, on a methodological level, is whether they have clarified the competence required for choice architects to prompt subtly our behaviour toward making choices that are in our best interest from our own perspectives. We argue that, among other features, an account of the competence required to offer nudges would have to clarify why it is reasonable to expect that choice architects can understand the constraints imposed by semantic variance. Semantic variance refers to the diverse perceptions of meaning, tied to differences in identity and context, that influence how users interpret nudges. We conclude by suggesting that choice architects can grasp semantic variance if Thaler and Sunstein’s approach to design is compatible with insights about meaning expressed in science and technology studies and the philosophy of technology.
Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein (2008) contend that mandated choice is the most practical nudge ... more Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein (2008) contend that mandated choice is the most practical nudge for increasing organ donation. We argue that they are wrong, and their mistake results from failing to appreciate how perceptions of meaning can influence people's responses to nudges. We favor a policy of default to donation that is subject to immediate family veto power, includes options for people to opt out (and be educated on how to do so), and emphasizes the role of organ procurement organizations and in-house transplant donation coordinators creating better environments for increasing the supply of organs and tissues obtained from cadavers. This policy will provide better opportunities for offering nudges in contexts where in-house coordinators work with families. We conclude by arguing that nudges can be introduced ethically and effectively into these contexts only if nudge designers collaborate with in-house coordinators and stakeholders.
Is it morally permissible for financially privileged tourists to visit places for the purpose of ... more Is it morally permissible for financially privileged tourists to visit places for the purpose of experiencing where poor people live, work, and play? Tourism associated with this question is commonly referred to as ‘poverty tourism’. While some poverty tourism is plausibly ethical, other practices will be more controversial. The purpose of this essay is to address mutually beneficial cases of poverty tourism and advance the following positions. First, even mutually beneficial transactions between tourists and residents in poverty tourism always run a risk of being exploitative. Second, there is little opportunity to determine whether a given tour is exploitative since tourists lack good access to the residents' perspectives. Third, if a case of poverty tourism is exploitative, it is so in an indulgent way; tourists are not compelled to exploit the residents. In light of these considerations, we conclude that would-be tourists should participate in poverty tours only if there is a well-established collaborative and consensual process in place, akin to a ‘fair trade’ process.
There are many social psychological theories regarding the nature of prejudice, but only one majo... more There are many social psychological theories regarding the nature of prejudice, but only one major theory of prejudice reduction: under the right circumstances, prejudice between groups will be reduced with increased contact. On the one hand, the contact hypothesis has a range of empirical support and has been a major force in social change. On the other hand, there are practical and ethical obstacles to any large-scale controlled test of the hypothesis in which relevant variables can be manipulated. Here we construct a spatialized model that tests the core hypothesis in a large array of game-theoretic agents. Robust results offer a new kind of support for the contact hypothesis: results in simulation do accord with a hypothesis of reduced prejudice with increased contact. The spatialized gametheoretic model also suggests a deeper explanation for at least some of the social phenomena at issue.
Is it morally permissible for financially privileged tourists to visit places for the purpose of
... more Is it morally permissible for financially privileged tourists to visit places for the purpose of
experiencing where poor people live, work, and play? Tourism associated with this
question is commonly referred to as ‘poverty tourism’. While some poverty tourism is
plausibly ethical, other practices will be more controversial. The purpose of this essay is to
address mutually beneficial cases of poverty tourism and advance the following positions.
First, even mutually beneficial transactions between tourists and residents in poverty
tourism always run a risk of being exploitative. Second, there is little opportunity to
determine whether a given tour is exploitative since tourists lack good access to the
residents’ perspectives. Third, if a case of poverty tourism is exploitative, it is so in an
indulgent way; tourists are not compelled to exploit the residents. In light of these
considerations, we conclude that would-be tourists should participate in poverty tours only
if there is a well-established collaborative and consensual process in place, akin to a ‘fair
trade’ process.
We deepen Adam Burgess’ insight that under current conditions nudging cannot solve complex policy... more We deepen Adam Burgess’ insight that under current conditions nudging cannot solve complex policy problems reliably and without controversy. We do so by integrating his concerns about nudging into Braden Allenby and Daniel Sarewitz’s three-leveled model of the basic problems technology can address and generate. We use this model to explain why the UK experiment with nudging has revolved around techno-fixes with limited policy potential, and conclude that nudging is best seen as an emerging form of soft law.
Cass Sunstein and Richard Thaler's Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness... more Cass Sunstein and Richard Thaler's Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness presents an influential account of why 'choice architecture' should be used to 'nudge' people into making better decisions than they would otherwise make. In this essay we: (1) explain the main concepts that Thaler and Sunstein rely upon to defend their project; (2) clarify the main conceptual problems that have arisen in discussions about nudges; (3) clarify practical difficulties that can arise during nudge practice; (4) review the main ethical and political objections that have been raised against nudging; and (5) clarify why issues related to meaning can pose methodological problems for creating effective choice architecture.
In "Artefacts Without Agency,&am... more In "Artefacts Without Agency," Christian Illies and Anthonie Meijers articulate the basic framework of a notion identified as "Action Schemes." We identify an internal inconsistency in their account and offer concrete suggestions on how to avoid it.
Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein’s Nudge advances a theory of how designers can improve decision-... more Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein’s Nudge advances a theory of how designers can improve decision-making in various situations where people have to make choices. We claim that the moral acceptability of nudges hinges in part on whether they can provide an account of the competence required to offer nudges, an account that would serve to warrant our general trust in
There are many social psychological theories regarding the nature of prejudice, but only one majo... more There are many social psychological theories regarding the nature of prejudice, but only one major theory of prejudice reduction: under the right circumstances, prejudice between groups will be reduced with increased contact. On the one hand, the contact hypothesis has a range of empirical support and has been a major force in social change. On the other hand, there are practical and ethical obstacles to any large-scale controlled test of the hypothesis in which relevant variables can be manipulated. Here we construct a spatialized model that tests the core hypothesis in a large array of game-theoretic agents. Robust results offer a new kind of support for the contact hypothesis: results in simulation do accord with a hypothesis of reduced prejudice with increased contact. The spatialized gametheoretic model also suggests a deeper explanation for at least some of the social phenomena at issue.
Connolly As a first step toward remedying this situation-and with an eye toward public policywe a... more Connolly As a first step toward remedying this situation-and with an eye toward public policywe apply spatialized game theory and multi-agent computational modeling as philosophical tools: (1) for assessing the primary social psychological hypothesis regarding prejudice reduction, and (2) for pursuing a deeper understanding of the basic mechanisms of prejudice reduction. Social modeling in general has a philosophical pedigree that extends at least back to Hobbes and Locke. The particular techniques of social simulation employed here are relatively new, however, and raise important questions for the philosophy of science. For that reason we proceed reflexively, commenting throughout on both the promise of simulational techniques for social psychology and public policy and their inherent limitations.
Robustness has long been recognized as an important parameter for evaluating game-theoretic resul... more Robustness has long been recognized as an important parameter for evaluating game-theoretic results, but talk of ‘robustness’ generally remains vague. What we offer here is a graphic measure for a particular kind of robustness (‘matrix robustness’), using a three-dimensional display of the universe of 2 × 2 game theory. In such a measure specific games appear as specific volumes (Prisoner’s Dilemma, Stag Hunt, etc.), allowing a graphic image of the extent of particular game-theoretic effects in terms of those games. The measure also allows for an easy comparison between different effects in terms of matrix robustness. Here we use the measure to compare the robustness of Tit for Tat’s well-known success in spatialized games (Axelrod, R. (1984). The evolution of cooperation. New York: Basic Books; Grim, P. et al. (1998). The philosophical computer: Exploratory essays in philosophical computer modeling. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press) with the robustness of a recent game-theoretic model of the contact hypothesis regarding prejudice reduction (Grim et al. 2005. Public Affairs Quarterly, 19, 95–125).
There are many social psychological theories regarding the
nature of prejudice, but only one maj... more There are many social psychological theories regarding the
nature of prejudice, but only one major theory of prejudice
reduction: under the right circumstances, prejudice between
groups will be reduced with increased contact. On the one hand,
the contact hypothesis has a range of empirical support and has
been a major force in social change. On the other hand, there are
practical and ethical obstacles to any large-scale controlled test
of the hypothesis in which relevant variables can be
manipulated. Here we construct a spatialized model that tests
the core hypothesis in a large array of game-theoretic agents.
Robust results offer a new kind of support for the contact
hypothesis: results in simulation do accord with a hypothesis of
reduced prejudice with increased contact. The spatialized gametheoretic model also suggests a deeper explanation for at least some of the social phenomena at issue.
This paper is a critical examination of Harry Collins's investigation into a third form of knowle... more This paper is a critical examination of Harry Collins's investigation into a third form of knowledge, “interactional expertise.” We argue that although Collins makes a genuine contribution to the phenomenological literature on expertise, his account requires further critical evaluation and response due to pragmatic and ontological considerations. We contend that by refining (in some questionable ways) the category of interactional expertise so as to create epistemological equivalence between activists, sociologists, critics, journalists, and some science administrators, Collins potentially undermines the value that a more rigorously construed concept of interactional expertise might have. We further show that Collins misunderstands the nature of embodiment in a way that is exacerbated by the sociological perspective that he adopts.
Existing pedagogical approaches to ethics education in engineering and science reinforce what thi... more Existing pedagogical approaches to ethics education in engineering and science reinforce what this paper terms "the fallacy of the individual decision-maker" by suggesting an oversimplified, individualistic model of ethical decision-making, rather than recognizing the organizational, cultural, or group deliberative context of an ethical dilemma. Consequently, students fail to develop the group deliberative and ethical reasoning skills necessary to properly recognize and resolve ethical questions. This paper critiques existing approaches and presents an alternative pedagogy that emphasizes active, participatory, and experiential learning that is intended to more deeply immerse students in questions of fairness, justice, and equity in the context of sustainability by playing the Externalities Game. Preliminary testing supports the hypotheses that game play results in deeper consideration of ethical issues, more emotionally engaged students, fosters greater deliberative discourse, and encourages experimentation with different ethical strategies. The Externalities Game may be an appropriate piece of a larger course in sustainability ethics when combined with traditional reading and pedagogical strategies.
The concept of interactional expertise (IE) describes the type of knowledge needed to communicate... more The concept of interactional expertise (IE) describes the type of knowledge needed to communicate effectively with experts from technical disciplines, even without actually practicing in the discipline. Although hard to acquire, IE can be obtained without hands-on experience. Interactional experts include a variety of critics and journalists, as well as peer-review panelists, all of whom can provide criticism, play devil's advocate, tell insider jokes, assess quality and make context-specific judgments. IE is essential for managers of large scientific organizations, as they are required to interact as experts in a wide range of disciplines in which they may have little or no practical experience. IE is also required of scholars working in multidisciplinary research teams, such as in sustainability. The only reliable way to acquire IE in science is through intensive linguistic socialization with disciplinary experts. Given the emergence of novel, integrative graduate education programs in sustainability, universities should consider how education can accelerate the acquisition of IE for the purpose of conducting collaborative sustainability research. We hypothesize that pedagogical strategies adapted from foreign language teaching can prime students for rapid acquisition of interactional expertise. To test our hypothesis, we designed a pilot course for graduate sustainability students around the central idea that acquiring IE is like acquiring a foreign language. We tested the effectiveness of this approach with novel assessment methods through which we were able to gauge the effectiveness of the course and ensure that students learned fundamental thermodynamics concepts. Preliminary results show that the course improves student communication, presents an alternative to traditional thermodynamic instruction and effectively teaches fundamental concepts.
Studies in History and Philosophy of Science, 2007
In this four part exchange, Evan Selinger starts by stating that Collins&... more In this four part exchange, Evan Selinger starts by stating that Collins's empirical evidence in respect of linguistic socialization and its bearing on artificial intelligence and expertise is valuable; it advances philosophical and sociological understanding of the relationship ...
In “Artefacts Without Agency,” Christian Illies and Anthonie Meijers articulate the basic framewo... more In “Artefacts Without Agency,” Christian Illies and Anthonie Meijers articulate the basic framework of a notion identified as “Action Schemes.” We identify an internal inconsistency in their account and offer concrete suggestions on how to avoid it.
Poverty tours-actual visits as well as literary and cinematic versions-are characterized as moral... more Poverty tours-actual visits as well as literary and cinematic versions-are characterized as morally controversial trips and condemned in the press as voyeuristic endeavors. In this collaborative essay, we draw from personal experience, legal expertise, and phenomenological philosophy and introduce a conceptual taxonomy that clarifies the circumstances in which observing others has been construed as an immoral use of the gaze. We appeal to this taxonomy to determine which observational circumstances are relevant to the poverty tourism debate. While we do not defend all or even most poverty tourism practices, we do conclude that categorical condemnation of poverty tourism is unjustified.
Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein’s Nudge advances a theory of how designers can improve decision-... more Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein’s Nudge advances a theory of how designers can improve decision-making in various situations where people have to make choices. We claim that the moral acceptability of nudges hinges in part on whether they can provide an account of the competence required to offer nudges, an account that would serve to warrant our general trust in choice architects. What needs to be considered, on a methodological level, is whether they have clarified the competence required for choice architects to prompt subtly our behaviour toward making choices that are in our best interest from our own perspectives. We argue that, among other features, an account of the competence required to offer nudges would have to clarify why it is reasonable to expect that choice architects can understand the constraints imposed by semantic variance. Semantic variance refers to the diverse perceptions of meaning, tied to differences in identity and context, that influence how users interpret nudges. We conclude by suggesting that choice architects can grasp semantic variance if Thaler and Sunstein’s approach to design is compatible with insights about meaning expressed in science and technology studies and the philosophy of technology.
Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein (2008) contend that mandated choice is the most practical nudge ... more Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein (2008) contend that mandated choice is the most practical nudge for increasing organ donation. We argue that they are wrong, and their mistake results from failing to appreciate how perceptions of meaning can influence people's responses to nudges. We favor a policy of default to donation that is subject to immediate family veto power, includes options for people to opt out (and be educated on how to do so), and emphasizes the role of organ procurement organizations and in-house transplant donation coordinators creating better environments for increasing the supply of organs and tissues obtained from cadavers. This policy will provide better opportunities for offering nudges in contexts where in-house coordinators work with families. We conclude by arguing that nudges can be introduced ethically and effectively into these contexts only if nudge designers collaborate with in-house coordinators and stakeholders.
Is it morally permissible for financially privileged tourists to visit places for the purpose of ... more Is it morally permissible for financially privileged tourists to visit places for the purpose of experiencing where poor people live, work, and play? Tourism associated with this question is commonly referred to as ‘poverty tourism’. While some poverty tourism is plausibly ethical, other practices will be more controversial. The purpose of this essay is to address mutually beneficial cases of poverty tourism and advance the following positions. First, even mutually beneficial transactions between tourists and residents in poverty tourism always run a risk of being exploitative. Second, there is little opportunity to determine whether a given tour is exploitative since tourists lack good access to the residents' perspectives. Third, if a case of poverty tourism is exploitative, it is so in an indulgent way; tourists are not compelled to exploit the residents. In light of these considerations, we conclude that would-be tourists should participate in poverty tours only if there is a well-established collaborative and consensual process in place, akin to a ‘fair trade’ process.
There are many social psychological theories regarding the nature of prejudice, but only one majo... more There are many social psychological theories regarding the nature of prejudice, but only one major theory of prejudice reduction: under the right circumstances, prejudice between groups will be reduced with increased contact. On the one hand, the contact hypothesis has a range of empirical support and has been a major force in social change. On the other hand, there are practical and ethical obstacles to any large-scale controlled test of the hypothesis in which relevant variables can be manipulated. Here we construct a spatialized model that tests the core hypothesis in a large array of game-theoretic agents. Robust results offer a new kind of support for the contact hypothesis: results in simulation do accord with a hypothesis of reduced prejudice with increased contact. The spatialized gametheoretic model also suggests a deeper explanation for at least some of the social phenomena at issue.
Uploads
Papers by Evan Selinger
experiencing where poor people live, work, and play? Tourism associated with this
question is commonly referred to as ‘poverty tourism’. While some poverty tourism is
plausibly ethical, other practices will be more controversial. The purpose of this essay is to
address mutually beneficial cases of poverty tourism and advance the following positions.
First, even mutually beneficial transactions between tourists and residents in poverty
tourism always run a risk of being exploitative. Second, there is little opportunity to
determine whether a given tour is exploitative since tourists lack good access to the
residents’ perspectives. Third, if a case of poverty tourism is exploitative, it is so in an
indulgent way; tourists are not compelled to exploit the residents. In light of these
considerations, we conclude that would-be tourists should participate in poverty tours only
if there is a well-established collaborative and consensual process in place, akin to a ‘fair
trade’ process.
nature of prejudice, but only one major theory of prejudice
reduction: under the right circumstances, prejudice between
groups will be reduced with increased contact. On the one hand,
the contact hypothesis has a range of empirical support and has
been a major force in social change. On the other hand, there are
practical and ethical obstacles to any large-scale controlled test
of the hypothesis in which relevant variables can be
manipulated. Here we construct a spatialized model that tests
the core hypothesis in a large array of game-theoretic agents.
Robust results offer a new kind of support for the contact
hypothesis: results in simulation do accord with a hypothesis of
reduced prejudice with increased contact. The spatialized gametheoretic model also suggests a deeper explanation for at least some of the social phenomena at issue.
experiencing where poor people live, work, and play? Tourism associated with this
question is commonly referred to as ‘poverty tourism’. While some poverty tourism is
plausibly ethical, other practices will be more controversial. The purpose of this essay is to
address mutually beneficial cases of poverty tourism and advance the following positions.
First, even mutually beneficial transactions between tourists and residents in poverty
tourism always run a risk of being exploitative. Second, there is little opportunity to
determine whether a given tour is exploitative since tourists lack good access to the
residents’ perspectives. Third, if a case of poverty tourism is exploitative, it is so in an
indulgent way; tourists are not compelled to exploit the residents. In light of these
considerations, we conclude that would-be tourists should participate in poverty tours only
if there is a well-established collaborative and consensual process in place, akin to a ‘fair
trade’ process.
nature of prejudice, but only one major theory of prejudice
reduction: under the right circumstances, prejudice between
groups will be reduced with increased contact. On the one hand,
the contact hypothesis has a range of empirical support and has
been a major force in social change. On the other hand, there are
practical and ethical obstacles to any large-scale controlled test
of the hypothesis in which relevant variables can be
manipulated. Here we construct a spatialized model that tests
the core hypothesis in a large array of game-theoretic agents.
Robust results offer a new kind of support for the contact
hypothesis: results in simulation do accord with a hypothesis of
reduced prejudice with increased contact. The spatialized gametheoretic model also suggests a deeper explanation for at least some of the social phenomena at issue.