Manipulation, Injustice, and Technology

Abstract

This article defends the view that manipulated behaviour is explained by an injustice. Injustices that explain manipulated behaviour need not involve agential features such as intentionality. Therefore, technology can manipulate us, even if technological artefacts like robots, intelligent software agents, or other ‘mere tools’ lack agential features such as intentionality. The article thus sketches a comprehensive account of manipulated behaviour related to but distinct from existing accounts of manipulative behaviour. It then builds on that account to defend the possibility that we are being manipulated by technology.

Keywords: manipulation, behavioral economics, nudge, social robotics, justice, affordance

JEL Classification: D003, D10, D11, D18, D60, D80, K0, K2