Ethics

1
Ethics

• The study of morality, that is,
• how do we tell the difference between a good
  action and a bad action or
• how do we do decide what is the right action in
  particular circumstances
• etc.

2
Rule-based ethics

• There is a small set of very specific rules that,
  it is claimed,can be applied to cover any
  situation.
• The ten commandments
• Love the Lord thy God with all they heart and
  strength, and thy neighbour as thyself.

3
Consequentialism

• Its not the actions themselves that matter but
  their consequences. To apply this, we need a way
  of judging the consequences.
• That action is best, which produces the greatest
  good for the greatest number.

4
The great debates

• rule-based v. consequentialism
• absolutism v. relativism
• where does duty come in?
• human rights
• in what sense can states, companies and other
  organisations be held morally responsible?
• how does the moral responsibility of the
  individual relate to the collective?

5
Professional codes of conduct

• rule-based but with some aspects of
  consequentialism
• generally seen as specific to a country and
  profession
• address particularly the malpractices to which
  members of the profession are especially subject
• may be aspirational or operational
• not the same thing as codes of practice.

6
BCS Code of Conduct

• The Public Interest
• Safeguard public health, safety and the
  environment.
• Respect the rights of others.
• Understand and comply with legislation,
  regulations and standards.
• Respect human rights.

7
Duty to Employers and Clients

1. Work with care and diligence and, if your
   professional judgement is overruled, indicate the
   likely consequences.
2. Try to complete work on time and within budget
   and warn immediately any overrun is foreseen.
3. Dont accept or offer commissions or bribes.
4. Dont disclose confidential information.

8
Duty to Employers and Clients (2)

1. Try to avoid becoming party to activities that
   conflict with 1 to 4.
2. Dont pretend your products or services can do
   things they cant.
3. When acting as an independent consultant, dont
   handle clients money or place orders without
   authority.
4. Dont claim to be independent when youre not.

9
Duty to the Profession

1. Uphold the reputation of the profession.
2. Try to advance public understanding of computing.
3. Encourage the professional development of others,
   particularly those new to the profession.
4. Act with integrity towards other professionals.
5. Dont make public statements unless qualified
   (and, where relevant, authorised) to do so.

10
Professional Competence and Integrity

1. Keep your knowledge up to date.
2. Follow good practice.
3. Dont claim to be competent when youre not.
4. Take responsibility for your work and that of
   your subordinates and dont terminate an
   assignment except for good reason and on
   reasonable notice.
5. Try to avoid conflicts of interest and disclose
   them immediately if they are unavoidable.

11
IEEE-CS/ACM Code of Ethics and Professional
Practice (version 5.1)

• (http//www.computer.org/tab/seprof/code.htm)

12
IEEE-CS/ACM general precepts

1. Act in ways consistent with the public interest.
2. Best interests of client and employer, consistent
   with the public interest.
3. Ensure products meet highest professional
   standards.
4. Maintain integrity and independence of
   professional judgement.
5. Adopt an ethical approach to management.
6. Advance the interests of the profession.
7. Be fair and supportive to colleagues.
8. Keep your knowledge up to date.

13
IEEE-CS/ACM howlers

• Software engineers shall not promote their own
  interest at the expense of the profession, client
  or employer.
• Software engineers shall not give unfair
  treatment to anyone because of any irrelevant
  prejudice.