chapter 3: Ethics, Technology and Values

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chapter 3 Ethics, Technology and Values

• Traditional Definition of Ethics
• Ethical Theories
• Functional Definition of Ethics
• Codes of Ethics
• Reflections on Computer Ethics
• Technology and values

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Traditional Definition of Ethics

• Ethics comes from a Greek word ethe which
  means character.
• It is a set of theories of value, virtue or of
  right action
• It is a set of theories to provide general
  rules/principles to be used in making moral
  decisions
• to provide justification for those rules
• Every human action is judged to be good/bad
  based on these theories

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Ethical Theories

• Ethical Theories
• A system of justices developed, tested, revised,
  and debated over the years by groups/societies.
• Codes of Ethics are based on these theories
• Processes of reasoning, explanation, and
  justification used in ethics are based on these
  theories.

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Ethical Theories

• Some of the theories are
• Consequentialism
• Deontology
• Human nature
• Relativism
• Emotivism
• Hedonism

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Theories

• (1) Consequentialism
• actions are judged good/bad depending on the
  outcome/ results of such actions
• There are three types of Consequentialism
• (I) Egoism- putting an individuals interests
  and happiness above everyone elses.
• (ii) Utilitarianism putting a groups interests
  and happiness above self.
• (iii) Altruism actions are judged good if the
  consequences are favorable to all except the
  actor
• (2) Deontology (duty theory - militaristic)
  an action is good if done as a duty regardless
  of outcomes .

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Theories

• (3) Human nature actions are judged good
  based on the capabilities of the actor
  (individual committing an evil action is lacking
  in some capabilities)
• (4) Relativism this takes right and wrong to
  be relative to society ( hence no universal
  norms).
• (5) Hedonism - this seeks maximum pleasure
  (/happiness) for all.
• (6) Emotivism This theory maintains that
  ethical statements are neither true nor false and
  cannot be proven they are really only statements
  about how someone feels

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Theories

• These theories are used as engines to help
  understand and justify human actions
• Theories have not changed with time and
  technology although the premises for human
  actions have changed
• Theories are used in layers of reasoning
  (/several steps) to justify all human actions.

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Functional Definition of Ethics

• 1 if good/right
• f(A,B)
• 0 if bad/wrong
• where a ? A set of all human
  actions
• b ? B set of all
  ethical theories
• The function f is an ethical decision function
  that assigns to every pair (a,b) a unique binary
  value of 1 for good or 0 for bad.

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Codes of Ethics

• The main domains in which ethics is defined are
  governed by a particular set of rules called
  codes of ethics.
• Code of ethics definition in business
• A written set of guidelines issued by an
  organization to its workers and management to
  help them conduct their actions in accordance
  with its primary values and ethical standards.

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Codes of Ethics

• Ethical codes forms
• 1. Principles, which may act as guidelines,
  references, or bases for some document.
• 2. Public policies, which may include aspects of
  acceptable behavior, norms, and practices of a
  society or group.
• 3.Codes of conduct, which may include ethical
  principles
• 4. Legal instruments, which enforce good conduct
  through courts.
• See ACM Web Page Http//www.acm.org
• See also the textbook pages 45-57.

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Objectives of Codes of Ethics

• Disciplinary By instilling discipline, the group
  or profession ensures professionalism and
  integrity of its members.
• Advisory The codes are usually a good source of
  tips to members and offer advice and guidance in
  areas where there are fuzzy moral issues.
• Educational Ethical codes are good educational
  tools for members of the domain, especially the
  new ones who have to learn the dos and donts of
  the new profession. These codes are also a good
  source of renewal for the older members needing
  to refresh and polish their possibly waning
  morals.

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Objectives of Codes of Ethics

• Inspirational Besides being disciplinary,
  advisory, and educational, the codes should also
  carry subliminal messages to those using them to
  inspire them to be good.
• Publicity One way for professions to create a
  good clientele is to show that they have a strong
  code of ethics and, therefore, their members are
  committed to basic values and are responsible.

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Reflections on Computer Ethics

• What makes computer ethics the same/different
  from traditional ethics???
• Changing premises
• Different temptations e.g. Speed, Privacy and
  anonymity, International scope, aesthetic
  attraction, The power to destroy..etc(see p
  58-59)
• Different means of delivery
• Complacency
• Ethical muddles

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Technology and values

• Technology is influencing the ethical and moral
  values of societies.
• Successful technological advances have created
  tempting situations by
• Adding value
• Removing value
• Changing value

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Technology and Values

• To keep societys values we need to
• Formulate new laws to strengthen existing values
  ( made obsolete by technological advances)
• Construct a conceptual model in which the new
  laws can be applied
• Successfully Launch massive education
  campaigns

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• Analyzing a Professional Ethical Scenario

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Analyzing a Professional Ethical Scenario

• Stage 1Brainstorming phase
• List risks, issues, problems, consequences.
• List all the stakeholders.
• List possible actions.

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Analyzing Professional Responsibilities (contd)

• Stage 2Analysis phase
• Identify the responsibilities of the
  decision-maker.
• Identify the rights of stakeholders.
• Consider the impact of the action options on the
  stakeholders.
• Find sections in codes of ethics that apply,
  categorize each potential action or response as
  ethically obligatory, ethically prohibited, or
  ethically acceptable.

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Analyzing Professional Responsibilities (contd)

• Consider the ethical merits of each option and
  select one.