Some notes on Information Ethics and Law: the centrality of autonomy, reciprocity and solidarity

Abstract

The 2010 Ibersid volume, devoted to the ethical and legal aspects of information and documentation systems, is introduced with a reflection on some pivotal principles of information and documentation ethics. After an exploration of the central role that information and documentation has inside the social processes of communication and memory, four axis are presented that might be useful to organize the ethical and legal discussions on this area: freedom and coercion, truth and deception, transparency and security, and contribution and reward. The values of autonomy, reciprocity and solidarity are defended against coercion and exploitation. But it is understood that all of them are part of social life, as it has evolved throughout the natural and cultural history. It is the information professional and scientist who, in each situation, must explore his position with reference to these axes, but without forgetting the values he truly believes in.