# Ideal theory in AI ethics

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2011.02279 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2011.02279/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 31 Oct 2020.

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [Improving Ethical Outcomes with Machine-in-the-Loop: Broadening Human Understanding of Data Annotations](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2112.09738/) (2021)

## Abstract (arXiv)

This paper addresses the ways AI ethics research operates on an ideology of ideal theory, in the sense discussed by Mills (2005) and recently applied to AI ethics by Fazelpour & Lipton (2020). I address the structural and methodological conditions that attract AI ethics researchers to ideal theorizing, and the consequences this approach has for the quality and future of our research community. Finally, I discuss the possibilities for a nonideal future in AI ethics.