Ethics, Information, and Our "It-from-Bit" Universe
Abstract
Using information technology, humans have brought about the Information Revolution, which is changing the world faster and more profoundly than ever before. How is this possible? An answer is suggested by comments of James Moor, regarding Logical Malleability, in his classic paper, What Is Computer Ethics?, 1985. The present essay combines Moor's ideas with the hypothesis that all physical entities, including spacetime and the universe as a whole, are dynamic data structures. To show the usefulness of taking such an approach, in both physics and information ethics, a suggested it from bit model of the universe is briefly sketched, and relevant predictions are offered about the future of computer and information ethics.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1802.02029,
title = {Ethics, Information, and Our "It-from-Bit" Universe},
author = {Terrell Ward Bynum},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1802.02029},
year = {2018}
}
Comments
15 pages, no figures, final version to be published on the website of the Research Center on Values in Emerging Science and Technology, Southern Connecticut State University, revised version adds a section on Moor's account of Computer Ethics, a discussion of black holes, and a discussion of the end of the universe, otherwise the paper remains essentially the same