Rethinking philosophical methodology: Conceptual engineering meets Value Sensitive Design

Abstract

Abstract What values and goals should guide conceptual engineering projects? In this paper, we propose that insights from responsible design , specifically Value Sensitive Design (VSD), can enrich current approaches to conceptual ethics. Philosophers of technology have long employed VSD as a structured way to create technologies that address real‐world problems while accommodating stakeholder values. Meanwhile, conceptual engineers have focused on how best to revise, introduce, or eliminate concepts in response to theoretical or practical needs. By bringing these two literatures together, this paper offers a systematic, empirically informed way to assess and design concepts. The approach uses VSD‐inspired methods to identify and weigh stakeholder values, goals, and concerns. To illustrate how this works in practice, the paper examines the technologically disrupted concept “colleague.” When advanced technologies, like robots or chatbots, begin performing roles similar to those of human workers, can they be considered colleagues?