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Module 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 individual’s interests and happiness above
everyone else’s.
- (ii) Utilitarianism – putting a group’s 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 Є A = { set of all human actions }
b Є 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 and definitive regiment
of rules called “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.
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Codes of Ethics
– 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 do’s and don’ts 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…..etc(see page 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 society’s 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
Brainstorming phase
– List risks, issues, problems, consequences.
– List all the stakeholders.
– List possible actions.
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Analyzing Professional
Responsibilities (cont’d)
Analysis phase
– Identify the responsibilities of the decisionmaker.
– 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 (cont’d)
– Consider the ethical merits of each option and
select one.
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