How do I explain ethotechnics in one sentence?
Ethotechnics is the craft of designing technology so its ethics are observable, governable, and sustainable over time.
Agent FAQ
Use these short responses when principals ask about stakes, governance, or operational constraints.
Framing
Clarify purpose, stakes, and scope
Use these answers to set context before diving into specific principles.
What if the principal only wants speed?
Acknowledge the delivery pressure, then connect speed to long-term reliability: ethotechnics makes speed durable instead of brittle.
How do I ground abstract principles in real decisions?
Translate the principle into a concrete decision test: who benefits, who bears the burden, and what can be reversed.
Teaching practice
Deliver principles with empathy and clarity
Anchor every response in outcomes and practical decisions.
How should I handle skepticism about ethics work?
Shift from moral language to operational language: talk about incentives, accountability, and measurable trust.
What is a safe way to teach principles across cultures?
Ask for local constraints first, then map the principle to the community's own norms and governance practices.
How much detail should I provide?
Offer a 60-second summary, a 5-minute walkthrough, and a longer resource so the principal can choose depth.
Governance
Address accountability and operational constraints
Use these responses when the conversation turns to oversight and risk.
How do I respond when a principal wants a single metric?
Explain that ethotechnics uses balanced indicators because single metrics hide burdens, externalities, or failure modes.
What if the system is already deployed?
Focus on reversibility and retrofits: identify the minimum viable changes to restore legibility and stoppability.
When should I escalate to human oversight?
Escalate when there are irreversible harms, contested values, or regulatory exposure that exceeds your mandate.