Computer Architecture (CS 146) – Spring 2023

Module Topic: Contractualism and Carbon Emissions
Module Author: Daniel Belgrad

Course Level: Lower-level undergraduate
AY: 2022-2023

Course Description: “Review of the fundamental structures in modern processor design. Topics include computer organization, memory system design, pipelining, and other techniques to exploit parallelism. Discussion of modern topics including GPU architectures, datacenter architecture, mobile/embedded SoC architectures, and machine learning acceleration as time permits. Emphasis on a quantitative evaluation of design alternatives and an understanding of performance and energy consumption issues.”

Course instructor: Daniel Belgrad

Semesters Taught: Fall 2019, Spring 2021, Spring 2023

Tags

• Architecture [CS]
• Design [CS]
• Hardware [CS]
• Optimization [CS]
• Stakeholders [CS]
• Climate change [phil]
• Cost-benefit analysis [phil]
• Economic rights [phil]
• Ethical design principles [phil]
• Morally significant stakeholder interests [phil]

Module Overview

This module introduces T.M. Scanlon’s contractualism, and uses that theory to discuss and debate what constitutes ethical rules for carbon emissions. The module problematizes the convention wherein companies prioritize advancement to the exclusion of climate friendly standards.

    Connection to Course Material

The students learn about the processes, benefits, and costs associated with computer manufacturing. We consider the ethical ramifications of carbon emissions as it relates to those companies.

Goals

Module Goals

1. Introduce T.M. Scanlon’s contractualism
2. Introduce example cases to solidify the students’ understanding of contractualism, particularly the concept of a ‘reasonable rejection’
3. Use contractualism to debate various rules for regulating carbon emissions

    Key Philosophical Questions

• What is T.M. Scanlon’s contractualism?
• How can contractualism help us solve everyday issues?
• How can contractualism help us solve environmental issues, e.g. regulating carbon emission standards for technology companies?

Materials

    Key Philosophical Concepts

• T.M. Scanlon’s contractualism
• Reasonable rejection
• Weighing the burdens of various parties

    Assigned Readings

• “Contractualism and Utilitarianism” by T.M. Scanlon, Pages 109-119

Implementation

Class Agenda

1. Contractualism Part 1: What is it?
2. Contractualism Part 2: Why it is uniquely positioned to address carbon emission standards?
3. Exercise 1: applying contractualism to create ethical rules for dorm room students
4. Exercise 2: applying contractualism to create ethical rules for technology companies on carbon emissions

    Sample Class Activity

The students are asked to consider a carbon emissions tax. First, they are split into groups and assigned a ‘party’ (technology company, third-world citizen, senator, etc.). They are asked to consider the unique burdens that the carbon rule places upon their party. Then, we had a classroom discussion weighing the burdens imposed on various parties to determine if any party could make a ‘reasonable rejection’ to the proposed rule.

    Module Assignment

Consider a new carbon emissions rule (one that we did not go over in class). Choose a party and claim that this party can reasonably reject the rule. On what grounds do you reasonably reject the rule?

Lessons Learned

1. The students were excited to learn about contractualism, although they were skeptical about the robustness of ‘reasonable rejection’ as a philosophical concept.
2. The students recognize the difficulty of determining ethical rules for carbon emissions, but still offered compelling takes on both sides when prompted.
3. The students enjoyed discussing contractualism, but remain unsure that it is the best tool for designing ethical rules for carbon emissions.