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In this position paper, a tentative response to questions concerning the role of philosophy in conjunction with recent advancement within the field of HCI (Human Computer Interaction) will be discussed. At the core of our discussion are new demands for responsible research where philosophically informed HCI research can play a fundamental part. Our argument is that philosophically informed HCI research can serve as a foundation for assessing and deliberating relationships between digital designs and quality of life. In our view, such assessments have much to gain by perspectives and critiques already elaborated by HCI scholars. We briefly outline how, in our experience, the basis of Critical Theory and Feminism provides a bracketing foundation for educating and cultivating HCI research that anticipates and assesses potential implications and societal expectations with regard to digital designs.