大数据功利主义计算逻辑中的“道德囚徒”

Moral Prisoners in Big Data Utilitarian Calculation

由边沁所创的功利主义在内在逻辑上要求进行“善好”计算,历代功利主义伦理学家都不得不面对计算量过大、难以做到不偏不倚、计算公式复杂等诸多问题。大数据技术与功利主义在本质与运行逻辑上相通,大数据技术为功利主义计算疑难提供了解决的可能,功利主义则为大数据提供了价值组织结构,并为其使用的扩张作出了道德辩护,二者合力构成了功利主义的新形态--“大数据功利主义”。但这种结合在解决计算疑难的同时消解了人类道德实践中的偶然性,且由于功利主义对“个人分离性”与“个人完整性”的忽视会将被数据裹挟的人变为“道德囚徒”。因此,功利主义的困境仍不能仅仅依靠增强计算能力得以解决,必须另觅出路。

The Utilitarianism formed by Bentham requires calculating utility from its inherent logic,however,all generations of utilitarian have to try to solve problems generated by utilitarian calculation,such as the heavy burden,the impartiality,and the complex formula,etc.Big Data technology is similar to Benthamian Utilitarianism in essence and operation logic,which means the cooperation for them to solve the above problems is possible.Big Data technology can provide an approach to calculate utility,while Utilitarianism can provide the value structure to organize data usefully and a moral justification for the expanding use of Big data.Together,the two form a new kind of Utilitarianism—Big Data Utilitarianism.However,the combination of the two seems to eliminate the Moral luck in moral practice and due to the neglect of individual separateness and personality integrity,Big Data Utilitarianism turns people who are bound by data into moral prisoners.Therefore,the theoretical dilemma of Utilitarianism can not be solved through the calculation path,and another way must be found.