ETHICAL

THEORIES
RELATED TO ICT

Student Name: Nuran Gamage

Student ID:
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Table of Contents
1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................3
2 Ethical theories..................................................................................................................3
2.1 Virtue Ethics...............................................................................................................3
2.2 Rights.........................................................................................................................3
2.3 Theory of relativism...................................................................................................4
2.4 Theory of Objectivist.................................................................................................4
2.5 The consequentialist...................................................................................................4
2.6 Theory of deontology.................................................................................................5
3 ACS code of ethics and professional conduct....................................................................5
4 Relationship between code and ethical theories................................................................6
5 Conclusion.........................................................................................................................6
6 References..........................................................................................................................7

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1 Introduction
Ethics is a body of knowledge that deals with moral values, and principles are a series of
principles that are used to guide the conduct of an action. Ethical ideas are more applicable
and applied widely throughout the ICT industry. As a result, there is a wide range of Martians
in the realm of morality (Bowern, Burmeister, Gotterbarn and Weckert, 2006). The key
purpose of this report is to explain many of the major ethical theories that are used in ICT.
This report examines moral theories related to ICT and describes each one in depth,
highlighting the similarities and differences between them.

2 Ethical theories

2.1 Virtue Ethics

This philosophy determines whether "an action is ethically correct or wrong by assessing it

solely upon the character of an individual than the action within". Virtues is a test that
requires one to live up to one's character. For example, what it takes to be a wonderful
teacher differs from what it takes to be a great singer, because a singer and a teacher have
multiple purposes. There are 3 main components of this theory,
1. Eudemonism - This is a part of excellence morality that states that the most important
thing in a person's life is to thrive, be happy, and have a happy life.
2. Ethics of fidelity and self-care - According to this principle, we should handle those
who are closest to us with extra consideration. This idea places a new burden on us to
be concerned with our emotional, social, physical, and spiritual well-being.
3. Agents Based Theories – This depicts a particular behavior of the expert or provides
moral judgment focuses on ethical meaning.

The philosophy is well-suited to the field of ICT, as there are a variety of practices that are
deemed unethical by other ethical philosophies but rank well on the Virtue Ethics platform.
For example, downloading clips and other copyrighted material (songs, art works) from the
Internet is a typical activity that any other person engages in (Lucas and Mason, 2008).

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2.2 Rights

When discussing rights, this is a section of “deontological theory” that is given to the person.
There are several kinds of rights. Any of the most important rights that citizens have are civil,
human, and contractual rights.  Since it depicts a particular demonstration by estimating it
with the rights that are granted to an individual, the theories are applied to the ICT sector. For
example, in Facebook, there are regulations prohibiting people from transferring such types
of information over the internet. However, this philosophy allows all to fully exercise their
right to speech and opinion (Lucas and Mason, 2008).

2.3 Theory of relativism

Different cultures have different moral codes that define whatever is considered right
or wrong within that society. Calling an act ethically correct in one society does not allow
that ethically acceptable in some other, since there is no empirical standard about which one
society's framework could be judged against another's.
This hypothesis holds true in the field of information technology. For example, Facebook is a
website that is blocked in certain parts of the world. Similarly, certain countries permit the
use of Facebook and some other networking applications, while others like China prohibit
individuals from using those applications for legitimate purposes according to public
standards. Regardless, there are no restrictions on these technologies in other parts of the
world (Lucas and Mason, 2008).

2.4 Theory of Objectivist

Moral qualities and values are not dependent on something outside. Moral law, as per moral
objectivism, is unobservable and eternal, and is not subjected to any will, whether divine or
human. Legal objectivism is unattractive. To escape a punishment, one should live a life of
excellence and strictly adhere to the rules. The rule of fate, which entails continual life, death,
and rebirth before such ethical perfection is attained, appears to be the pinnacle of
philosophical objectivism (Lucas and Mason, 2008).

2.5 The consequentialist

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This moral hypothesis states that a practice is ethically correct and because if the end result of
a similar demonstration would not in any way harm truth. Its operations are relevant to the
ICT sector. There are acts that are justified based on such philosophical hypotheses but are
labeled as ethically false due to the negative outcome. For example, copying copyrighted
material from the web for free is ethically right unless the specific action is linked to personal
gain (Lucas and Mason, 2008).

2.6 Theory of deontology

Deontology is a philosophy that uses laws to determine what is right and what is wrong. Kant
argued that individual acts would adhere to basic ethical rules such as not lying, stealing, or
cheating. This could actually apply that it only requires that people obey the standards and do
the work, which corresponds to our innate instincts on what is and isn't moral. Since
individuals must be forced to follow a series of laws, this philosophy does not consider the
results, effects, or values of associate act (Lucas and Mason, 2008).

3 ACS code of ethics and professional conduct

The "Australian Computing Society's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct" is referred to
as the ACS Code. Members must protect and advance the prestige, honor, and usefulness of
becoming a specialist as an ACS member. It also involves becoming a responsible person by
acting in line with the legislation. The ACS lists six ethical principles along with the
conditions that must be met in order for the principles to be observed. The below are the
explanations.
1. Primacy of public interest - This form priorities above self- interests. All disputes
must be settled in the interest of the public under this code. The term applies to
issues related to public health and safety, and the environment.
2. Enhancement of quality of life - While the introduction of ICT has had a significant
influence on our environment and mode of living.  ICT still have some detrimental
impacts on certain technology. 
3. Honesty - People should not break the trust of the shareholders or career. All of your
ethical judgments and conduct must be based on the highest levels of professionalism
and fairness.
4. Competence - You only consider work which you feel you are capable of doing, and
you do not fail to seek external skills from properly trained individuals when

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 necessary. You must be mindful of your own limitations and the fact that you lack
integrity.
5. Professional development - Keeping informed of emerging developments that are
important or helpful in your field and inspire other coworkers and employees to do so
as well.
6. Professionalism - The ACS is working to increase public confidence in the
information and communications technology sectors. Professional standards that
enhance the reputation of business, particularly at the workplaces, should be
maintained by society members.
(Ferguson et al., 2005)

4 Relationship between code and ethical theories

A code of ethics is a broad that informs staff and representatives of a company about what
kinds of decisions and actions are appropriate and promoted. The emphasis in a code of ethics
is narrower. It establishes how workers or representatives can behave in such circumstances.
The ethical philosophies listed above are linked to such concepts since each one of them
advocates for the most successful policies to be practiced, and therefore all of them
encourage peace. One theory that differs from ACM and IEEE programming concepts is
virtue ethics, which prioritizes human interests over the broader interest of the public
(Walsham, 1996).

5 Conclusion
There are several normative ideas that can be applied to the ICT industry. These ideas have a
strong connection to the codes of ethics used in the professional ICT industry. There are all
completely separate ideals that are identical in some ways and, for even the most part,
separate in others. The theory of virtue ethics makes a decision based on the assumption how
an act generates fulfillment. The theory of consequences, on the other hand, makes a decision
based on the equivalent of good and harmful moral aspect. 

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6 References
Bowern, M., Burmeister, O., Gotterbarn, D. and Weckert, J., 2006. ICT Integrity:
bringing the ACS code of ethics up to date. Australasian Journal of
Information Systems, 13(2). Available at:
https://journal.acs.org.au/index.php/ajis/article/view/50

Ferguson, S., Salmond, R., Al-Saggaf, Y., Bowern, M. and Weckert, J., 2005. Case
studies and codes of ethics: the relevance of the ACS experience to ALIA. The
Australian Library Journal, 54(3), pp.299-308. Available at:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00049670.2005.10721766

Hales, K., 2009. Ethical issues in relational maintenance via computer‐mediated

communication. Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society,
7(1), pp.9-24

Lucas, R. and Mason, N., 2008. A survey of ethics and regulation within the ICT
industry in Australia: ethics education. Journal of Information,
Communication and Ethics in Society, 6(4), pp.349-363. Available at:
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/14779960810921141/fu
ll/html

Walsham, G., 1996. Ethical theory, codes of ethics and IS practice. Information

Systems Journal, 6(1), pp.69-81. Available at:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2575.1996.tb00005.x