Ethical Considerations Flashcards
What is ethics?
Ethics is the branch of philosophy that deals with morality.
- how people make decisions and lead their lives
- distinguishing between good and evil in the world
- assessing whether human actions are right or wrong
What is Metaethics
The origin and meaning of ethical concepts
What is Metaphysics
the kinds of things that exist in the universe: are moral values “eternal
truths”
What is moral realism
assumes moral principles are not based on subjective human
convention but have have an objective foundation e.g. eternal law / divine commands
What is moral scepticism
denies existence of objective moral values, but does not reject
moral values themselves
What is Moral relativism
accepts moral standards that are grounded in social approval
What is computer ethics
- Computers generate
wholly new ethical problems that would not have existed if computers had not been invented - Computer ethics issues are old ethical problems that are “given a new twist” by
computer technology. - Computer technology is ‘logically malleable’
- allows people to do things previously
impossible, so no laws/ specific ethical rules have been established to govern them
– so
leading to “policy vacuums”.
Why are Ethics important in Computing?
IS are ubiquitous and have a profound impact on all aspects of human existence
- automating paper handling
- global positioning systems
- electronic voting register
Mention some emerging ethical issues
Machine learning/artificial intelligence poses new and complicated ethical issues
- Automated decision making in life and death circumstances
- Authentication and veracity concerns
- Emergence of post
What is the British Computer Society Code of Conduct
- out the professional standards required by BCS as a condition of membership;
- applies to all members, irrespective of their membership grade, the role they fulfil, or
the jurisdiction where they are employed or discharge their contractual obligations
What is the approach for ethical analysis- Baase
A practical approach, based on: reason; introspection; observation of human nature, values
& behavior; an understanding of ethical principles
What is the approach for ethical analysis- Bricken
The reasoning which leads to an opinion is important, not the opinion itself
- Apply structured techniques to formulate and clarify thinking
Mention some distinctions in applied ethics
- right, wrong, okay
- negative and positive rights
- wrong and harm
- separate goals from constraints
- law and ethiccs
The Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics
Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people.
Thou shalt not interfere with other people’s computer work.
Thou shalt not snoop around in other people’s computer files.
Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.
Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness.
Thou shalt not copy or use proprietary software for which you have not paid.
Thou shalt not use other people’s computer resources without authorization or proper compensation.
Thou shalt not appropriate other people’s intellectual output.
Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you are writing or the system you are designing.
Thou shalt always use a computer in ways that ensure consideration and respect for your fellow humans.