The philosophical study of the identification of the best possible options in any given case is known as ethics. Blockchain technologies can further good causes, but the insights of millennia of great thinkers can also be useful to the blockchain communities. In addition, the human right to enjoy the benefits of the progress of science and its applications and related rights are highly relevant for issues at the intersection of computing and society. This talk explores the synergy between ethics, human rights and blockchain technologies.

1. Ethics, Human Rights & Blockchain
Sebastian Porsdam Mann
AMSTERDAM | MAY 8-9, 2018
All images used are either in the public domain or displayed here under the fair use/fair
dealing exemption (Netherlands: Art. 16(a) NCA 1912 / US: 17 U.S.C. § 107 / UK: Sec. 29-30
CDPA / EU: Art. 5(3) Directive 2001/29/EC); all image credits at end of presentation.

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1. Introduction
2. Ethical theories
3. Framework for ethical analysis – a sketch
4. Examples
5. Blockchain applications in ethics & human rights

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Principles
• Principle of utility: The ethical action is that which
leads to the greatest utility for the greatest number.

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Principles
• Principle of utility: The ethical action is that which
leads to the greatest utility for the greatest number.
• Principle of equality: ethically, nobody counts for
more or less than anyone else.

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Principles
• Principle of utility: The ethical action is that which
leads to the greatest utility for the greatest number.
• Principle of equality: ethically, nobody counts for
more or less than anyone else.
• Principle of universality: ethically, everybody counts,
no matter who they are or where they are born.

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Human rights principles
• Dignity
• Participation/Inclusion
• Universality, equality, non-discrimination
• Inalienability
• Indivisibility
• Accountability

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Principles
• Principle of utility: The ethical action is that which
leads to the greatest utility for the greatest number.
• Principle of equality: ethically, nobody counts for
more or less than anyone else.
• Principle of universality: ethically, everybody counts,
no matter who they are or where they are born.

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Principles
• Principle of utility: The ethical action is that which
leads to the greatest utility for the greatest number.
• Principle of equality: ethically, nobody counts for
more or less than anyone else.
• Principle of universality: ethically, everybody counts,
no matter who they are or where they are born.
• Principle of constraint: there must be some
constraints on pure utility maximization.

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Principles
• Principle of utility: The ethical action is that which
leads to the greatest utility for the greatest number.
• Principle of equality: ethically, nobody counts for
more or less than anyone else.
• Principle of universality: ethically, everybody counts,
no matter who they are or where they are born.
• Principle of constraint: there must be some
constraints on pure utility maximization.
• Principle of virtue and development: to maximize
utility appropriately, focus on virtue and development.

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1. Introduction
2. Ethical theories
3. Framework for ethical analysis – a sketch
4. Examples
5. Blockchain applications in ethics & human rights

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The framework: a sketch
• First, clarify the issue.
• Then, assess the utility of various options.
• Consider whether the option(s) with the most utility
violate the rights of others.
• If the rights in question are not absolute, determine
whether the utility is large enough to outweigh them.
• Choose the option(s) with the highest utility amongst
those not constrained or outweighed by rights/duties.
• Wherever possible, focus on development and virtue.

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1. Introduction
2. Ethical theories
3. Framework for ethical analysis – a sketch
4. Examples
5. Blockchain applications in ethics & human rights

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The framework: an example
• Do the benefits of the proof of work protocol outweigh the
costs in energy?
• Enabling participation in global exchange of ideas and value
outweighs ( > ) energy usage
• But is there a better way?
• 1) Reduce energy consumption, e.g Lightning Network
• 2) Repurpose work, e.g. CureCoin
• 3) Switch mechanism, e.g. Proof of Stake
• Likely consequences?

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The framework: another example
• What are the barriers to entry? What can be done?
• Discrimination: conscious/unconscious.
• Disadvantage in access to tech and skills.
• Rights to equality at risk.
• One solution: awareness and outreach, e.g. MIT Media Lab
bootcamps & scholarships.

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The framework: third example
• Should there be any regulations? If so, which ones?
• Regulations are happening anyway.
• Current regulations may reflect special interests.
• Need to be inclusive and participatory to work for all.
• Regulatory bodies should be open to community input.
• But community can head off some of the outside regulation
by self-regulation, e.g. professional code of conduct.

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1. Introduction
2. Ethical theories
3. Framework for ethical analysis – a sketch
4. Examples
5. Blockchain applications in ethics & human rights

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32. Image credits
Women in Culture and Science: “Wings” Ayelet Riza, artist. www.ayeletriza.com
Stanford Master List: goodblocks.vessels.tech
Stiglitz: https://www.coindesk.com/bitcoin-outlawed-economist-joseph-stiglitz-says/
Krugman #1: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/29/opinion/bitcoin-bubble-fraud.html
Krugman #2: https://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/12/28/bitcoin-is-evil/
Evil laptop: https://lifehacker.com/top-10-evil-ways-to-use-technology-1739793718
Ethics blurbs: own work
Bentham: http://aboutlondonlaura.com/jeremy-bentham-auto-icon/
Mill: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stuart_Mill
Kant #1: http://www.investingintheclassics.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/rsz_11kant.png
“Pirlo ‘Immanuel Kant’” finalverdict, artist. https://finalverdict.deviantart.com/art/

33. Image credits continued:
Roosevelt: http://www.un.org/sites/www.un.org/files/2015/09/03/universal-declaration-
human-rights.jpg
Aristotle: https://info.thinkfun.com/hubfs/EDU_Blog_Assets/Kacey_Blogs/aristotle-
statue.jpg?t=1523992567118

34. Thanks to colleagues who
made this work possible:
Maximillian Schmid
&
Harvard Center for Bioethics