Definition
•Ethics is the study of right and wrong in
human conduct.
•It assumes that there is a set of rules that
provide knowledge
p
g about our actions,
distinguishing them between right and
wrong.
•The set of rules will be different
according to the different ethical theories.
ETHICS
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Some Ethical Theories
Ethical theories
•They represent the different set of rules
of right or wrong human conduct
developed through history.
•Each one of them has its own set of rules
under which human conduct can be
judged.
• Actions are being judged
•Consequentialism: If the results of such
actions benefit a particular party.
•Deontology: Based on the reason that
motivated them
•Human Nature: Based on how the
measure up to the capabilities of living in
happiness
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Some Ethical Theories[3]
Some Ethical Theories[2]
•Relativism: According to the culture
under which they are performed
•Hedonism: Based on the pleasure
(happiness)
pp
theyy ggive to the individual
•Emotivism: According to no rules. Ethical
statements reflect how a person feels
•Through human history philosophers
have used these theories to understand
and justify human actions.
•The spectrum
p
of human actions has been
broadened as a result of computer
technology.
•Therefore an updated definition of ethics
is required.
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Codes of Ethics
Functional Definition of Ethics
•Let A be the set of all possible human actions on
which we can pass a value judgment.
•Let B be the set containing some of the ethical or
moral theories
•Let R be the set {RIGHT, WRONG, GOOD, BAD}
•Now we define the ethics decision function as a
function of A and B, whose range lies in R.
• Besides, we associate the value 1 with RIGHT or
GOOD and the value 0 with WRONG or BAD.
•The advance in computer technology
have increased the set A
•This has created some fuzziness to the
traditional
d
l definition
d f
off ethics
h
•So we revised the definitions of ethics,
using the codes of ethics
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Codes of Ethics[2]
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ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
• Section 1 outlines fundamental ethical
considerations
• Section 2 addresses additional, more
specific considerations of professional
conduct
• Section 3 pertain more specifically to
individuals who have a leadership role
• Section 4 gives principles involving
compliance with this Code
•We associate the subset of A with a particular
subset of B. The latter given by a set of rules,
called “code of ethics”.
•These ethical codes can be:
•Principles – guidelines,
guidelines references,
references bases
•Public policies – acceptable behavior, norms,
practices for a group
•Codes of conduct – they could include ethical
principles
•Legal instruments ‐ they enforce good conduct
through courts.
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ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct – Section 1
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ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct – Section 1[2]
As an ACM member I will …
• Contribute to society and human well‐
being.
• Avoid harm to others
• Be honest and trustworthy
• Be fair and take action not to discriminate
• Honor property rights including copyrights
and patent
As an ACM member I will ….
•Give proper credit for intellectual
property
•Respect the privacy of others
•Honor confidentiality
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ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct – Section 2
ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct – Section 2[2]
As an ACM computing professional I will ....
• Strive to achieve the highest quality,
effectiveness and dignity in both the process
and products of professional work.
• Acquire
and
maintain
professional
competence
• Know and respect existing laws pertaining to
professional work
• Accept and provide appropriate professional
review
As an ACM computing professional I will ....
• Give
comprehensive
and
thorough
evaluations of computer systems and their
impacts, including analysis of possible risks
• Honor contracts, agreements, and assigned
responsibilities
• Improve public understanding of computing
and its consequences
• Access computing and communication
resources only when authorized to do so
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ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct – Section 3
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ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct – Section 3[2]
As an ACM member and an organizational leader, I
will ....
• Articulate social responsibilities of members of
an organizational unit and encourage full
acceptance of those responsibilities
• Manage personnel and resources to design and
build information systems that enhance the
quality of working life
• Acknowledge and support proper and
authorized uses of an organization's computing
and communication resources
As an ACM member and an organizational leader, I will ....
• Ensure that users and those who will be affected
by a system have their needs clearly articulated
during the assessment and design of
requirements; later the system must be
validated to meet requirements
• Articulate and support policies that protect the
dignity of users and others affected by a
computing system
• Create opportunities for members of the
organization to learn the principles and
limitations of computer systems
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ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct – Section 4
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Reflection on Computer Ethics
As an ACM member I will ....
•We have expanded the set A of the
functional definition of ethics
•Although the function is the same,
there are some differences that have
appeared, as a consequence of this
expansion.
•Uphold and promote the principles of
this Code
•Treat violations of this code as
inconsistent with membership in the
ACM
•These differences are, among others:
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Reflection on Computer Ethics[2]
Reflection on Computer Ethics[3]
•Changing Premises: A wider range of
possibilities of human actions.
•Different Temptations: A wider range of
tools available that makes more
temptations for
f each
h action.
• Nature of medium – Digital media is easier
to manipulate
• Aesthetic attraction – Conquering the
technology
• Increased
I
d availability
il bilit off potential
t ti l victims
i ti
–
Increased reach
• International scope – No boundaries
• The power to destroy – Using computers
•Speed of gathering information – Decreased
time of detection on actions
•Privacy and anonymity – Computers
everywhere, and software to remain
anonymous
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Reflection on Computer Ethics[4]
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Technology and Values
• Different means of delivery: Using the
computer tools
• Complacent
Society:
Computer‐related
actions are ignored or hailed as novel
science.
i
• Ethical Muddles: Computers produce new
situations that often fall outside the existing
moral and ethical rules. This generates a
variety of arguments and counterarguments
on the ethical value of an action.
•Through history, new technologies
appear that become revolutionary, and
create new possibilities, new ethical and
moral concerns because they add new
situations that are not considered under
the existing basic set of moral values.
•Computer technology is one of these.
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Technology and Values[2]
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Technology and Values[3]
•Computer technology is evolving so
rapidly that the building of new set of
moral values can’t cope with the changes.
•When new moral values are created,
sometimes
ti
th
they
are outdated
td t d because
b
the whole landscape has changed.
•Even if they are formulated, there is a lack
of the models of how to apply those to
the society.
•There is a process of rationalization of
some actions, because there is a vacuum
in the basic set of moral values, and this
leads to find new pseudo‐reasons to take
moral vacations.
•To avoid the temptation to take moral
vacations, as computer usage and
telecommunications are giving users room
and reasons to do so, we need to:
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Technology and Values[4]
Technology and Values[5]
•Create new laws that strengthen and
expand our basic set of moral values ‐
they are becoming irrelevant by
computer technology
•Construct a conceptual model under
which the new laws can be applied
•Commence an education campaign to
teach the society of the new
environment and its impact on our basic
set of moral values.
•The first two goals are not part of our
mission.
•We need to concentrate on the third
point, and this class is one of manyy in the
p
curriculum in which you will be made
aware of the new set of moral and ethical
values related to Computer Science.
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