Debating tech ethics in English
The vocabulary of ten tech debates, the structure of an argument, degrees of certainty and six fallacies named in English.
- 26 cards
- 3 topics
- Free
The outline, topic by topic
Each topic is weighted the way the exam weighs it.
- Concepts
- Questions
- Sort and link
A few cards from the deck
Whistleblower: what is it?
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A person who reveals illegal or dangerous practices of the organisation they work for, to the authorities or the public.
In French this is the "lanceur d'alerte". "Whistleblowing" is the act; the legal protection of such people is a subject of debate in itself.
Which of these sentences expresses the strongest certainty?
- Automation will change most jobs.
- Automation may change most jobs.
- Automation might change most jobs.
- Automation is unlikely to change most jobs.
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Automation will change most jobs.
"Will" expresses near-certainty. "May" and "might" remain possibilities, and "is unlikely to" leans towards no. Choosing your degree of certainty means choosing what you can defend.
A strong argument chains a claim, evidence, a … to the objections and a ….
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A strong argument chains a claim, evidence, a concession to the objections and a rebuttal.
The concession shows you understood the objection ("Admittedly…"), the rebuttal explains why it is not enough ("However…"). Without them, the argument looks one-sided.
Algorithmic bias: what is it?
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A systematic, repeatable error in an automated system that favours some groups over others.
It often comes from training data that reflects past inequalities. A system can therefore discriminate without anyone having intended it.
Which word normally introduces a concession?
- Therefore,
- Admittedly,
- For instance,
- In conclusion,
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Admittedly,
"Admittedly" grants a point to the opponent before moving past it. "Therefore" introduces a consequence, "for instance" an example, "in conclusion" the close.