Philosophy [in:of:for:and] digital knowledge infrastructures

When it comes to the digitalisation of research and higher education, one can observe impressive developments in almost all disciplines in the humanities. In fact, digital humanities has become an overarching umbrella term for a wide variety of projects from the arts and humanities using digital knowledge infrastructures, regardless of whether it is used to store and structure vast amounts of data for easy access or to provide novel, interactive user interfaces for accessing field-specific information. 

Regarding philosophy, however, there appears to be a striking under representation in the digital humanities sector so far. While there is some research done about philosophical aspects of digitalisation and even about methodological advantages of digital technology for philosophy, it is still rare in comparison with similar research in other disciplines.
This Collection aims to publish new philosophical views on digital knowledge infrastructures, particularly on the philosophical implications of the use of digital technology in research and education, e.g., machine-learning systems, linked open data applications, online archives, open access publication platforms, text analysis software, and perhaps even discipline-specific social media platforms like Phil-People. In addition, we want to emphasise the question how philosophy itself can make good use of this technology. 

We are therefore looking for philosophical contributions concerning digital knowledge infrastructure, broadly construed. These can cover perspectives from epistemology, aesthetics, ethics, social and political philosophy, philosophy of science, or any other field of philosophical interest. 

Submissions can cover, but are not limited to: 

• Ethical opportunities of increased use of digital technologies in research and education (and risks too, of course);
• The position of philosophy in the field of digital humanities, regarding its similarities with and differences to other disciplines;
• Relevant changes in accessibility of information by increased reliance on digital knowledge infrastructures;
• The degree to which digital knowledge infrastructures might support ideas of ‘citizen science’, thereby increasing social and political equality;
• Questions regarding property rights and common access to research and educational information;
• Risks and opportunities of an increased interdisciplinarity fostered by digital technologies;
• The general impact of digital technology on philosophical research. 

While this Collection focuses on philosophical perspectives, we also encourage researchers from other disciplines to submit suitable contributions which address topics like those outlined above. 

This article Collection complemented the autumn 2022 Philosophy [in:of:for:and] Digital Knowledge Infrastructures online workshop, hosted by the Digital Academy at the Academy of Sciences and Literature Mainz.