The “Physics” of Ethics: Time, Space, and Intersubjectivity in Ethics by Design

Technology, especially Information Technology (IT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), has penetrated society in an unprecedented way, raising concerns about its impact on human life. While some claim that IT and AI can help humanity flourish, others argue that these technologies, if unregulated, could threaten modern societies by reinforcing social inequalities and undermining freedom and autonomy. Consequently, calls to regulate IT and AI are multiplying. Although often grounded in humanistic and ethical principles, these calls have not yet extended meaningfully beyond academic discourse. This essay argues that such ethical approaches are constrained by temporal, spatial, and intersubjective limitations, what might be called the “physics” of ethics, which hinder their practical implementation. First, temporal constraints stem from the difficulty of forecasting IT and AI development and its societal effects, given (i) a lack of consensus on their impact, (ii) the opacity of AI systems, and (iii) the disruptive nature of innovation processes. Second, spatial constraints concern the erosion of boundaries between public and private life due to IT, which commodifies identity and encourages performative rather than authentic interactions. As a result, it becomes increasingly difficult to address IT and AI use without falling into the “tyranny” of transparency, leading to (i) flattened social relations, (ii) diminished trust, and (iii) dehumanization. Third, intersubjective constraints highlight how IT and AI reinforce existing social inequalities, often excluding and exploiting marginalized communities. Therefore, meaningful regulation should embrace alternative standpoints by supporting (i) bottom-up, (ii) community-based, and (iii) participatory design practices. However, while some design approaches such as those found in the Slow Design and Design Justice movements hold promising outcomes, they face resistance due to entrenched systemic forces.