In chapter 7 of The New Nature of Maps, “Can There Be Cartographic Ethics?”, J. B. Harley sets forth his argument on one of our class’s recent key discussions: subjectivity, availability, and standardization of maps. Per our class discussion, we realized the question of whether or not maps can be objective is a disputed topic. The “objective” side argued that maps of the physical landscape, like a network of roads, is not subjective. The choice of what to include or omit is, in itself, not the result of bias but practicality. In contrast, the “subjective” side contended that it is impossible to present an objective map because cartography is inherently subjective, based upon its practice as a representation of an individual’s perspective, with choices intentional or not that shapes the world in different ways.
Even cartographers themselves say that “we are told about the ‘paradox’ in which ‘an accurate map’, to ‘present a useful and truthful picture’, must ‘tell white lies’” (200). This statement offers a look at the fundamental problems with the field of cartography when it comes to ethics. Cartographers are essentially admitting that creating any map requires small falsehoods, yet are quick to become defensive when criticized for this. In Harley’s words, “cartography will be unable to engage in an ethical debate while it continues to appeal only to its own internal standards yet is morally blind to issues in the world outside” (200). Here’s where Harley’s central argument comes to light: cartographical ethics can’t only be limited to techniques and practices, for maps have profound social impacts on the world at large. As such, mapmakers must take into account, and be held accountable for, such values in the worldviews they release to the public.
One reply on “Cartographic Ethics”
Hi Emily. I agree that cartographers should always be aware of the potential ethical issues that their maps might have and accept the fact that decisions that they make while creating their maps could lead to serious consequences that they might never have expected. I think that when map makers try to map a specific area (i.e., a town, a county, or an area of preserved land), they should consult with the people living there or caring for the land to try to identify and avoid ethical problems that they might run into, such as leaving out a street that is actually very important to the town or failing to identify local areas or habitats that are important to the region’s ecosystem.