Ethics-based ontology in ICT4D

Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) research has largely been framed within ontological perspectives that emphasize systemic, structural, and institutional factors in technology adoption and societal transformation. Grounded in realist and idealist ontologies, these approaches primarily examine technology’s functional roles in economic and social development. However, they often overlook how technology shapes human identity, agency, and ethical responsibility as intrinsic aspects of existence. This paper argues for expanding ICT4D research by incorporating an ethics-based ontology, combining Martin Heidegger’s concept of Being-in-the-World and Hans Jonas’s ethics of responsibility. Together, they reveal that ethics is not an afterthought but arises from our fundamental way of being. Shifting focus from instrumental perspectives to lived experiences, this approach offers a broader understanding of technology’s influence on human existence, emphasizing the moral implications of technological interventions, especially regarding sustainability and intergenerational justice.