The philosophical basis of algorithmic recourse

Suresh Venkatasubramanian; Mark Alfano

doi:10.1145/3351095.3372876

The philosophical basis of algorithmic recourse

Suresh Venkatasubramanian, Mark Alfano

Ethics & Philosophy of Technology

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volume › Conference contribution › Scientific › peer-review

71 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Philosophers have established that certain ethically important values are modally robust in the sense that they systematically deliver correlative benefits across a range of counterfactual scenarios. In this paper, we contend that recourse - the systematic process of reversing unfavorable decisions by algorithms and bureaucracies across a range of counterfactual scenarios - is such a modally robust good. In particular, we argue that two essential components of a good life - temporally extended agency and trust - are underwritten by recourse. We critique existing approaches to the conceptualization, operationalization and implementation of recourse. Based on these criticisms, we suggest a revised approach to recourse and give examples of how it might be implemented - especially for those who are least well off.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	FAT* 2020 - Proceedings of the 2020 Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency
Editors	Mireille Hildebrandt, Carlos Castillo
Publisher	Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Pages	284-293
Number of pages	10
ISBN (Electronic)	978-145036936-7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1145/3351095.3372876
Publication status	Published - 2020
Event	3rd ACM Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency, FAT* 2020 - Barcelona, Spain Duration: 27 Jan 2020 → 30 Jan 2020

Conference

Conference	3rd ACM Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency, FAT* 2020
Country/Territory	Spain
City	Barcelona
Period	27/01/20 → 30/01/20

Keywords

Algorithmic decision making
Precarity
Recourse
Robust goods

Access to Document

10.1145/3351095.3372876

Cite this

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title = "The philosophical basis of algorithmic recourse",

abstract = "Philosophers have established that certain ethically important values are modally robust in the sense that they systematically deliver correlative benefits across a range of counterfactual scenarios. In this paper, we contend that recourse - the systematic process of reversing unfavorable decisions by algorithms and bureaucracies across a range of counterfactual scenarios - is such a modally robust good. In particular, we argue that two essential components of a good life - temporally extended agency and trust - are underwritten by recourse. We critique existing approaches to the conceptualization, operationalization and implementation of recourse. Based on these criticisms, we suggest a revised approach to recourse and give examples of how it might be implemented - especially for those who are least well off.",

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author = "Suresh Venkatasubramanian and Mark Alfano",

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booktitle = "FAT* 2020 - Proceedings of the 2020 Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency",

publisher = "Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)",

address = "United States",

note = "3rd ACM Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency, FAT* 2020 ; Conference date: 27-01-2020 Through 30-01-2020",

}

Venkatasubramanian, S & Alfano, M 2020, The philosophical basis of algorithmic recourse. in M Hildebrandt & C Castillo (eds), FAT* 2020 - Proceedings of the 2020 Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency. Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), pp. 284-293, 3rd ACM Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency, FAT* 2020, Barcelona, Spain, 27/01/20. https://doi.org/10.1145/3351095.3372876

The philosophical basis of algorithmic recourse. / Venkatasubramanian, Suresh; Alfano, Mark.
FAT* 2020 - Proceedings of the 2020 Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency. ed. / Mireille Hildebrandt; Carlos Castillo. Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), 2020. p. 284-293.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volume › Conference contribution › Scientific › peer-review

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T1 - The philosophical basis of algorithmic recourse

AU - Venkatasubramanian, Suresh

AU - Alfano, Mark

PY - 2020

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N2 - Philosophers have established that certain ethically important values are modally robust in the sense that they systematically deliver correlative benefits across a range of counterfactual scenarios. In this paper, we contend that recourse - the systematic process of reversing unfavorable decisions by algorithms and bureaucracies across a range of counterfactual scenarios - is such a modally robust good. In particular, we argue that two essential components of a good life - temporally extended agency and trust - are underwritten by recourse. We critique existing approaches to the conceptualization, operationalization and implementation of recourse. Based on these criticisms, we suggest a revised approach to recourse and give examples of how it might be implemented - especially for those who are least well off.

AB - Philosophers have established that certain ethically important values are modally robust in the sense that they systematically deliver correlative benefits across a range of counterfactual scenarios. In this paper, we contend that recourse - the systematic process of reversing unfavorable decisions by algorithms and bureaucracies across a range of counterfactual scenarios - is such a modally robust good. In particular, we argue that two essential components of a good life - temporally extended agency and trust - are underwritten by recourse. We critique existing approaches to the conceptualization, operationalization and implementation of recourse. Based on these criticisms, we suggest a revised approach to recourse and give examples of how it might be implemented - especially for those who are least well off.

KW - Algorithmic decision making

KW - Precarity

KW - Recourse

KW - Robust goods

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BT - FAT* 2020 - Proceedings of the 2020 Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency

A2 - Hildebrandt, Mireille

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T2 - 3rd ACM Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency, FAT* 2020

Y2 - 27 January 2020 through 30 January 2020

ER -

The philosophical basis of algorithmic recourse

Abstract

Conference

Keywords

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