The ethical implications of automated computation in design

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to present a framework for discussing ethics and computational design.

Design/methodology/approach

The main propositions of computational design are presented, discussed according to different authors and contrasted with cybernetic principles.

Findings

The paper finds that with algorithmic and parametric procedures, architects are using computation to reach a hitherto unknown ease of modelling multiple iterations of a design, so they can expand their possible design scenarios and cope with the uncertainties of ill-defined tasks. However, this strategy faces an ethical limitation because they fail to extend this openness to the final segment of the design chain, the user in the act of dwelling.

Originality/value

The paper brings a cybernetic perspective for discussing the often-overlooked ethical implications of computational strategies in design.

Citation

dos Santos Cabral Filho, J. (2013), "The ethical implications of automated computation in design", Kybernetes, Vol. 42 No. 9/10, pp. 1354-1360. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-10-2012-0067