Design Patterns for the Common Good: Building Better Technologies Using the Wisdom of Virtue Ethics

Abstract: Virtue ethics is a philosophical tradition that emphasizes the cultivation of virtues in achieving the common good. It has been suggested to be an effective framework for envisioning more ethical technology, yet previous work on virtue ethics and technology design has remained at theoretical recommendations. Therefore, we propose an approach for identifying user experience design patterns that embody particular virtues to more concretely articulate virtuous technology designs. As a proof of concept for our approach, we documented seven design patterns for social media that uphold the virtues of Catholic Social Teaching. We interviewed 24 technology researchers and industry practitioners to evaluate these patterns. We found that overall the patterns enact the virtues they were identified to embody; our participants valued that the patterns fostered intentional conversations and personal connections. We pave a path for technology professionals to incorporate diverse virtue traditions into the development of technologies that support human flourishing.

• The paper introduces a virtue-guided tech design process that operationalizes virtue ethics through conceptual, technical, and empirical inquiries.
• It identifies seven social media design patterns that promote virtues such as life, dignity, solidarity, and care for creation.
• Stakeholder interviews confirmed that these patterns enhance meaningful interactions while addressing inherent ethical design trade-offs.

Design Patterns for the Common Good: A Virtue Ethics Approach to Technology Design

The intersection of ethics and technology design presents a critical area of study, particularly within the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). The paper "Design Patterns for the Common Good: Building Better Technologies Using the Wisdom of Virtue Ethics," authored by Conwill et al., explores how virtue ethics can be operationalized to inform the design of more ethically conscientious technologies. This work stands out by proposing a concrete methodology for incorporating virtue ethics into technology design, moving beyond theoretical discourse to actionable design strategies.

Conceptual Framework

Virtue ethics emphasizes developing virtues—traits of excellent character—as foundational in the pursuit of the common good. This ethical framework diverges from consequentialism and deontology by focusing less on rules or outcomes, centering instead on the kind of character and community we cultivate. Conwill et al. leverage this philosophical tradition to propose a design process explicitly informed by virtue ethics, thereby contributing to a broader movement in HCI aimed at embedding ethical values within technology design.

Methodological Approach: Virtue-Guided Technology Design

The authors introduce the concept of "Virtue-Guided Technology Design," a novel methodology aiming to bridge the gap between abstract ethical discussions and practical design applications. The process begins with identifying the type of technology to be designed and selecting virtue ethics traditions to guide the design. Subsequently, three key inquiries—conceptual, technical, and empirical—are undertaken:

1. Conceptual Inquiry involves defining the relevant virtues within the context of the chosen technology. For instance, the paper examines Catholic Social Teaching principles and their application to social media design.
2. Technical Inquiry requires the investigation of existing technologies to identify design features that align with or diverge from these virtues. This step involves cataloging design patterns that embody the desired virtues.
3. Empirical Inquiry validates these design patterns through stakeholder feedback, ensuring they are perceived as valuable and usable in real-world contexts.

Case Study: Social Media Design Patterns

As a proof of concept, the authors focus on social media platforms, generating design patterns that encapsulate virtues from Catholic Social Teaching. They identify seven patterns, each intended to promote particular virtues, such as life and dignity, solidarity, and care for creation. For example, the "Chats Over Feeds" pattern prioritizes direct communication over passive consumption, embodying virtues that foster meaningful interactions.

Evaluation of these patterns involved interviews with 24 technology professionals. The findings indicated that most patterns were viewed positively, particularly for promoting personal connection and reducing exploitative design features. However, a tension emerged between fostering intentional conversations and facilitating broad access to diverse ideas, highlighting the complexity of designing for human flourishing.

Implications and Future Directions

The implications of this research are significant for both theory and practice. The proposed methodology offers a structured approach to integrating ethical considerations in design, potentially guiding the creation of technologies that genuinely support human flourishing. While this work initially applies Catholic Social Teaching as a case study, the process is versatile and could be adapted to various ethical frameworks, promoting a richer diversity of ethical perspectives in technology development.

Future research could expand on this study by exploring other virtue traditions, thereby broadening the ethical landscapes considered in design processes. Additionally, engaging a more diverse set of stakeholders in the empirical inquiry could yield insights into the universal applicability of the design patterns and further refine them.

Conclusion

Conwill et al.'s paper delineates a compelling vision of ethical technology design through the lens of virtue ethics. By providing both a methodology and practical examples, the authors contribute to a growing discourse on designing for the common good, inviting further exploration into how virtue ethics can transform not only our technologies but the societies they serve.