Ethics
Acknowledgement
Charles Moen
Wei Ding
Ethics
Ethics is a set of principals or values that
dictate how we interact with others. Ethical
behavior is described as what is „good‟ or
„right‟.
As software engineers, system engineers or
computer scientists, we have “significant
opportunities to do good or to cause harm”
(ACM/IEEE-CS)
Ethical Guidelines
As technology grows in leaps and bounds, it
provides us with lots of options and
capabilities. With such fast growth, guidelines
on proper etiquette is very broadly defined.
Interpretation of the guidelines can be
conceptual and different from person to
person.
Defining Ethics
James Moor's definition of computer ethics in
his article "What Is Computer Ethics?" [Moor,
1985] is broad and wide-ranging. It does not
adhere to any specific philosopher's theory but
is similar to a wide variety of methodological
approaches to ethical problem-solving.
Defining Ethics
According to Moor, computer technology is genuinely
revolutionary because it is "logically malleable":
Computers are logically malleable in that they can be
shaped and molded to do any activity that can be
characterized in terms of inputs, outputs and
connecting logical operations....Because logic applies
everywhere, the potential applications of computer
technology appear limitless. The computer is the
nearest thing we have to a universal tool. Indeed, the
limits of computers are largely the limits of our own
creativity [Moor, 1985, 269]
Ethical Issues related to Computers
Replacing humans with computers
Computer Security
Privacy and Confidentiality
Software piracy
Globalization
Ten Commandments Of Computer
Ethics
Created by the Computer Ethics Institute [Barquin, 1992]
1. Thou Shalt Not Use A Computer To Harm Other People.
2. Thou Shalt Not Interfere With Other People‟s Computer work.
3. Thou Shalt Not Snoop Around In Other People‟s Computer Files.
4. Thou Shalt Not Use A Computer To Steal.
5. Thou Shalt Not Use A Computer To Bear False Witness.
6. Thou Shalt Not Copy Or Use Proprietary Software For Which You
have Not Paid.
7. Thou Shalt Not Use Other People‟s Computer Resources Without
Authorization Or Proper Compensation.
8. Thou Shalt Not Appropriate Other People‟s Intellectual Output.
9. Thou Shalt Think About The Social Consequences Of The Program
You Are Writing Or The System You Are Designing.
10.Thou Shalt Always Use A Computer In Ways That Insure
Consideration And Respect For Your Fellow Humans.
Bibliography
Barquin, Ramon C., (1992) "In Pursuit of a 'Ten
Commandments' for Computer Ethics.“, Computer
Ethics Institute
Moor, James H. (1985) "What Is Computer Ethics?"
Computers and Ethics, Blackwell, 266-75. [Published
as the October 1985 issue of Metaphilosophy.]