Implicit Bias, Character, and Control

Abstract

Are implicit biases under an agent’s control, and attributable to her as part of her character? A number of theorists have argued that individuals do not have control, in the relevant sense, over the operation of implicit bias. This paper first argues that this is mistaken; these views do not delineate the relevant sense of control. Accordingly, lack of control in these senses does not exempt the agent’s implicit biases from being a target of character-based evaluation. The paper then articulates and develops a notion of control that individuals have with respect to implicit bias. It argues that this kind of control—ecological control—can ground character-based evaluation of such behavioural dispositions. This conception of control helps to fine-tune prescriptions for programmes of character development.

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