Abstract
This chapter questions the adequateness of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) professional ethics by analyzing the URISA’s (“The Urban and Regional Information Systems Association”: the broadest association for GIS Professionals) Code of Ethics. It starts by a preliminary mapping of ethical issues raised by GIS. Its intent is to go beyond the traditional PAPA issues (Privacy, Accuracy, Property, Access) by taking into account issues such as space as a construed object, individual identity and the issues of scope and scale. After exploring various perspectives on professional codes of ethics, it considers how the field of GIS professional ethics have dealt with these issues and suggests a dichotomy between academic and professional ethics. It finally suggests to rethink the expert-lay people interplay when discussing GIS ethical issues.
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Notes
- 1.
This weaving loom is a mechanical loom, invented by Joseph Marie Jacquard in 1801, that simplifies the process of manufacturing textiles with complex patterns. The loom is controlled by punched cards with punched holes and is therefore considered an important step in the history of computing hardware, but led to major social protests (“révolte des Canuts” in Lyon, France) and Jacquard himself regretted his whole life the social consequences of his invention.
- 2.
Cf. for instance the German philosopher Friedrich Rapp.
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Verrax, F. (2016). Beyond Professional Ethics: GIS, Codes of Ethics, and Emerging Challenges. In: Delgado, A. (eds) Technoscience and Citizenship: Ethics and Governance in the Digital Society. The International Library of Ethics, Law and Technology, vol 17. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32414-2_10
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