Contracts and computers

Abstract

This article explores a new form of epistemic injustice related to computers and data mining in our interconnected world. I argue that data mining, as it is currently practiced, not only perpetuates but also contributes to a moral injustice primarily driven by economic factors. By employing Gaile Pohlhaus’s theoretical framework, the paper establishes criteria that classify data mining as a form of epistemic injustice (P1) and demonstrates its differentiation from other known forms in existing literature (P2). Through a comprehensive analysis of data mining’s alignment with these criteria, the article highlights its unique nature and draws attention to its previously overlooked manifestation of epistemic injustice. By comparing data mining to established forms of epistemic injustice, this research underscores the urgent need for a critical examination of this ethical dilemma arising from technological advancements.