Ethical Theory and New Surveillance

This paper offers an introduction to ethical theory concerning new surveillance. Since research in this field has been scarce so far, the purpose of this study is to focus on the foundational work, and to articulate questions and projects for further work. Moreover, the ethical approach known as the “deontological perspective” is studied, because opponents of surveillance often find their arguments in this theoretical background. The moral philosophy of Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) and Hans Jonas (19031993) is studied, and it is concluded that the deontological perspective offers a fruitful starting point for further work with ethical theory concerning surveillance. And it is furthermore concluded that the ethical aspects of surveillance are intertwined with other ethical problems, so the task is to throw light on the complexity and range of moral actions brought about by developments in technologies and altered practices, rather than to evolve a “surveillance ethics” dedicated exclusively to the moral problems concerning surveillance. It is also stressed that the ethical work is best carried out in the phase of development when the moral action is concretely situated in the context of new surveillance technologies and practices. The implementation of electronic patient records in Denmark is introduced as an example of this strategy for ethical theory and new surveillance.