Self-tracking technologies and production of intelligent habits: a pragmatic perspective

Slides I presented during the PHTR 2022 in Copenhagen on 5 July 2022. The talk is based on one of the chapters of my dissertation on the ethics of self-tracking. See the abstract below:

In this presentation I discuss how self-tracking technologies influence users’ habits and assess whether they contribute to users’ flourishing. Devices such as Fitbit and Apple Watch devices, or apps like MyFitnessPal allow individuals to quantify their everyday activity, and promise to empower them with greater control over their behvior. I investigate this claim by relying on the philosophy of John Dewey. I first describe Dewey’s notion of intelligent habits which in his philosophy are fundamental for the development of character and the pursuit of good life. I argue that especially desirable (i.e., intelligent) habits  can be characterized by reflectivity and flexibility. Reflective habits arise from inquiry into available courses of action, and evaluation of goods achieved with their help. Flexible habits are adaptable to change and allow individuals to adjust their behavior to adequately respond to shifting circumstances.

I argue that common features of self-tracking technologies inhibit the creation of intelligent habits. The design of popular self-tracking tools fails to anticipate the diversity of self-trackers and does not recognize their individual circumstances, which is likely to produce unreflective habits. Moreover, the opacity and framing of self-tracking tools inhibits users from actively reflecting upon habits mediated through their self-tracking practices. I also demonstrate that the rigid design of popular tools for self-quantification and users’ dependence on them is problematic from the standpoint of flexibility. I conclude by recommending how self-tracking technologies should be used and developed in the future to maximize reflectivity and flexibility of habits they produce.