Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An Intuition-Based Approach to Sustainable ICT: Insights from Eco-Ethica

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Tetsugaku Companion to Japanese Ethics and Technology

Part of the book series: Tetsugaku Companions to Japanese Philosophy ((TCJP,volume 1))

  • The original version of this chapter was revised: MS Mincho font was updated throughout the book for Japanese and Chinese characters. The correction to this book is available at https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59027-1_13

Abstract

In this chapter we draw on the Japanese philosopher Tomonobu Imamichi in order to further develop our understanding of the relationship between Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and ecological sustainability. Our main contribution is an intuition-based approach to design for sustainability, which, for instance, means to design ICT products in a way that invokes feelings of wastefulness or misuse if used in an unsustainable manner. In contrast to persuasive approaches – which have mainly focused on raising awareness, nudging decisions, or stimulating positive behavior through gamification – we rely on the human tendency to unconsciously and effortlessly formulate mental heuristics or intuitions, when exposed to consistent feedback. The claim is that people can learn to associate perceptual cues with environmental impact, and by that will be empowered to make more sustainable choices. Based on the implications of Imamichi’s Eco-ethica, we suggest that this approach can be more fruitful for encouraging sustainable choices than both awareness raising and behavior manipulation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    The practical syllogism in itself seems to have become something of a simulacrum, i.e., it has evolved over time into a meme that no longer necessarily resembles its original formulation. It is used as a description of the reasoning involved in deciding what to do in a concrete situation. One common interpretation of the practical syllogism is that the major premise is a universal assertion (or opinion), the minor premise a particular observation (or opinion), and the conclusion an action, i.e., a practical decision.

    Major:

    Universal assertion

    Minor:

    Particular observation

    Conclusion:

    Action

    Imamichi’s framing of the syllogism is slightly different. He recognizes that we make a choice when we act and that choices are what determine character rather than opinions (Imamichi 1998, compare EN3.2.1111b 26-EN3.2.1112b 17 with EN 7.3.1147a23–b5). Note that the minor premise in this version includes the major premise in the more common interpretation, and that the particular observation is implicitly assumed.

    Major:

    I want A

    Minor:

    Means p, q, r, … can realize A

    Conclusion:

    I choose the mean p because it is the noblest and most expedient

    In his conclusion, choosing a mean represents acting. Furthermore, Imamichi also interprets the major premise as an end, rather than as any universal opinion and the minor premise as a selection of available means rather than as any particular opinion.

  2. 2.

    In the reversed formulation, means have been replaced with powers, which probably should be understood as generalized means, i.e., potentials that technological systems and artifacts afford.

  3. 3.

    “[Our civilization] is a technological space that consists of a technology-mediated environment supported by the dual structure of the modern nation on the one hand and globalization as a negation of this on the other hand (Imamichi 2009, 3, emphasis in original).”

  4. 4.

    Within marketing, a product is given but not necessarily the purpose of the product. The power (the manufacturing of the product) is used to target various purposes, based on what seems to be economically most beneficial. Meal replacements, for instance, can be claimed to save time, improve health, reduce environmental impact, etc.

  5. 5.

    The original purpose of the patent system was to avoid knowledge getting lost when an innovator passed away, by granting him or her an exclusive right to use a technique in exchange for revealing it for posterity. The power, i.e., the patent, is the same but the purpose is now replaced by other purposes like preventing competition, or demanding a share of someone elses production by claiming patent infringement.

  6. 6.

    https://web.archive.org/web/20180516135911/https://saynotofoodwaste.org/what-can-you-do/supermarkets/

  7. 7.

    https://web.archive.org/web/20180516135640/http://www.stopspildafmad.dk/

  8. 8.

    https://web.archive.org/web/20160506172429/https://www.coop.se/vart%2D%2Dansvar/knasiga-gronsaker/

  9. 9.

    https://poweraware.com/

  10. 10.

    http://energycurb.com/

  11. 11.

    The two systems refer to two different ways in which the brain forms thoughts. System 1 is fast, emotional and often unconscious, while system two is slow, logical and calculating.

References

  • Alvesson, Mats, and Andrew Spicer. 2012. “A stupidity-based theory of organizations.” Journal of Management Studies 49: 1194–220.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bendor, Roy. 2018. “Interaction Design for Sustainability Futures: Towards Worldmaking.” Draft chapter for Digital Technology and Sustainability: Acknowledging Paradox, Facing Conflict, and Embracing Disruption, edited by Hazas, Mike, and Lisa Nathan. London & NY: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boivie, Per. E. 2007. Global Standard: How Computer Displays Worldwide Got the TCO Logo. Stockholm: Premiss Förlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bull, Richard. 2015. “ICT as an enabler for sustainable development: reflections on opportunities and barriers.” Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society 13.1: 19–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brynjarsdottir, Hrönn, Håkansson, Maria, Pierce, James, Baumer, Eric P. S., DiSalvo, Carl, and Phoebe Sengers. 2012. “Sustainably unpersuaded: How persuasion narrows our vision of sustainability”. Paper presented at SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, May 5–10, Austin Convention Center, Texas, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coop. 2017. “Frågor och svar om knasiga grönsaker.” https://web.archive.org/web/20160506172429/https://www.coop.se/vart%2D%2Dansvar/knasiga-gronsaker/. Accessed: 16 May 2018.

  • Cramer, Benjamin W. 2012. “Man’s need or man’s greed: The human rights ramifications of green ICTs.” Telematics and Informatics 29: 337–347.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daly, Herman E. 1990. “Sustainable Development: From Concept and Theory to Operational Principles.” Population and Development Review 16: 25–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deterding, Sebastian, Dixon, Dan, Khaled, Rilla, and Lennart Nacke. 2011. “From game design elements to gamefulness: defining gamification.” Presented at the 15th international academic MindTrek conference: Envisioning future media environments, September 28–30, Tampere University of Technology, Finland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ekonomistyrningsverket. 2016. “Yttrande över promemorian Skattereduktion för reparation och underhåll av vitvaror.” https://web.archive.org/web/20180516140416/https://www.esv.se/contentassets/7ac227a99d7748c1978c51628fbeca58/remissvar-34-288-2016.pdf. Accessed 16 May 2018.

  • Farías, Víctor, Margolis, Joseph, and Tom Rockmore. 1991. Heidegger and Nazism. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finansdepartementet. 2015. “Kompletteringar av RUT-avdraget.” https://web.archive.org/web/20180516140329/https://www.regeringen.se/contentassets/3fa064a709c64c95a4c2080af2339217/kompletteringar-av-rut-avdraget. Accessed 16 May 2018.

  • Finansdepartementet. 2016. “Skattereduktion för reparation och underhåll av vitvaror.” https://web.archive.org/web/20180516140416/https://www.esv.se/contentassets/7ac227a99d7748c1978c51628fbeca58/remissvar-34-288-2016.pdf. Accessed 16 May 2018.

  • Friedman, Milton. 2007. “The Social Responsibility of Business Is to Increase Its Profits.” In Corporate Ethics and Corporate Governance, edited by Zimmerli, Walter C., Holzinger, Richter, Klaus and Markus Holzinger, 173–178. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fors, Per. 2016. “ICT and Japanese Philosophy: Gamification for Skilled Animals”. Presented at the 9th International Conference on ICT, Society and Human Beings, 1–3 July, Pestana Casino Park Hotel, Funchal, Portugal.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fors, Per and Thomas T. Lennerfors. 2016. “Gamification for Sustainability: Beyond the Aesthetico-Ludological Approach”. In The Business of Gamification, edited by Dymek, Mikolaj and Peter Zackariasson. Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuchs, Christian and Eva Horak. 2008. “Africa and the digital divide.” Telematics and informatics, 25: 99–116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • GeSI. 2015. “#SMARTer2030: ICTsolutions for 21st century challenges.” https://web.archive.org/web/20180510100348/http://smarter2030.gesi.org/downloads/Full_report.pdf. Accessed 16 May 2018.

  • Gulbrandsen, Christoffer. 2012. Stealing Africa. Why Poverty? Motion Picture.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gustafsson, Anton, and Magnus Gyllenswärd. 2005. “The power-aware cord: energy awareness through ambient information display”. Presented at the CHI’05 on Human factors in computing systems, April 2–7, Portland, Oregon, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heidegger, Martin. 1977. “The Question Concerning Technology.” In The Question Concerning Technology and Other Essays, edited by Heidegger, Martin. London and New York: Garland Publishing Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hornborg, Alf. 2001. The power of the machine: Global inequalities of economy, technology, and environment. Maryland: Rowman Altamira.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hudson, Ian, and Mark Hudson. 2003. “Removing the veil? Commodity fetishism, fair trade, and the environment.” Organization & Environment, 16: 413–430.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Imamichi, Tomonobu. 1998. “The Metaphysical Tradition of East Asia and its Actual Relevance.” Filosoficky Casopis, 46: 403–408.

    Google Scholar 

  • Imamichi, Tomonobu. 2008. “Technology and collective identity: issues of an eco-ethica.” In The Humanization of Technology and Chinese Culture, Chinese Philosophical Studies, edited by Imamichi, Tomonobu, Miaoyang, Wang, and Liu Fangtong. Council for Research in Values and Philosophy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Imamichi, Tomonobu. 2009. An Introduction to Eco-ethica. University press of America.

    Google Scholar 

  • Juergensmeyer, Mark. 2005. Religion in global civil society. Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kahneman, Daniel. 2003. “Maps of bounded rationality: Psychology for behavioral economics.” American economic review, 93: 1449–1475.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kahneman, Daniel. 2011. Thinking, fast and slow. London: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kostigen, Thomas. 2008. “The underbelly of globalization: our toxic wastes exported to developing countries”. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516140530/http://archive.ban.org/library/Features/080925_the_underbelly_%20of_globalization.html. Accessed 16 May 2018.

  • Knowles, Bran, Blair, Lynne, Walker, Stuart, Coulton, Paul, Thomas, Lisa, and Louise Mullagh. 2014. “Patterns of persuasion for sustainability.” Presented at the 2014 conference on Designing interactive systems, June 21–25, Simon Fraiser University, Vancouver, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laaksoharju, Mikael. 2014. “Designing for Autonomy.” PhD diss., Uppsala University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lennerfors, Thomas T. Fors, Per, and Jolanda van Rooijen. 2015. “ICT and environmental sustainability in a changing society: The view of ecological World Systems Theory.” Information Technology & People, 28: 758–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lennerfors, Thomas Taro (2014). Sustainable and Fast ICT: Lessons from Dromology, Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society, 12: 284–297.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liebman, Jeffery B., and Neale Mahoney. 2013. “Do expiring budgets lead to wasteful year-end spending? Evidence from federal procurement. National Bureau of Economic Research. The National Bureau of Economic Research.” https://web.archive.org/web/20180516140634/http://www.nber.org/papers/w19481. Accessed 16 May 2018.

  • Malmodin, Jens, and Dag Lundén. 2016. “The energy and carbon footprint of the ICT and E&M sector in Sweden 1990–2015 and beyond.” Presented at the 4th International Conference on ICT for Sustainability, August 30–31, Amsterdam Business School, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murata, Kiyoshi, and Yohko Orito. 2008. “Three Challenges for Japanese ICT Professionalism.” Presenter at ETHICOMP, September 24–26, University of Pavia, Mantua, Italy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nordin, Håkan. 2010. Green IT: From Problem to Solution. Stockholm: Håkan Nordin AB.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nye, David E. 2006. Technology Matters – Questions to Live With. Massachusetts: The MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Odagiri, Hiroyuki, and Akira Goto. 1996. Technology and industrial development in Japan. Canada: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwarzenegger, Arnold. 2015. “I don’t give a **** if we agree about climate change” [Facebook note]. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516092239/https://www.facebook.com/notes/arnold-schwarzenegger/i-dont-give-a-if-we-agree-about-climate-change/10153855713574658/. Accessed 16 May 2018.

  • Skatteverket. 2011. “Om RUT och ROT och VITT och SVART Rapport 2011:1.” https://web.archive.org/web/20180516140034/https://www.skatteverket.se/download/18.2b543913a42158acf800024807/1359707860719/rapport201101.pdf. Accessed 16 May 2018.

  • Say No to Food Waste. 2016. “Supermarkets”. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516135911/https://saynotofoodwaste.org/what-can-you-do/supermarkets/. Accessed 16 May 2018.

  • Stop Spild af Mad (2016). I fokus: Stop Spild Af Mad mobiliserer hele værdikæden til at mindske madspild. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516135640/http://www.stopspildafmad.dk/. Accessed 16 May 2018.

  • Thaler, Richard. & Sunstein, Cass. 2008. “Nudge: Improving decisions about health, wealth, and happiness.” London: Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trope, Yaacov, and Nira Liberman. 2010. “Construal-level theory of psychological distance.” Psychological review, 117: 440.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tucker, Mary E. 1998. “Religious dimensions of Confucianism: Cosmology and cultivation.” Philosophy East and West, 48: 5–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Umair, Shakila, and Stefan Anderberg. No date. “Ewaste imports and Informal Recycling in Pakistan”. Royal Institute of Technology.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Engineering Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

    Per FORS

  2. Department of Information Technology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

    Mikael LAAKSOHARJU

Authors
  1. Per FORS
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mikael LAAKSOHARJU
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Per FORS .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Engineering Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

    Thomas Taro LENNERFORS

  2. School of Commerce and Centre for Business Information Ethics, Meiji University, Tokyo, Japan

    Kiyoshi MURATA

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

FORS, P., LAAKSOHARJU, M. (2019). An Intuition-Based Approach to Sustainable ICT: Insights from Eco-Ethica. In: LENNERFORS, T., MURATA, K. (eds) Tetsugaku Companion to Japanese Ethics and Technology. Tetsugaku Companions to Japanese Philosophy, vol 1. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59027-1_9

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation