COMPUTER ETHICS

What is Computer Ethics

According to James H. Moore, who is believed to have first coined the
phrase "computer ethics", computer ethics is the analysis of the nature
and social impact of computer technology and the corresponding
formulation and justification of policies for the ethical use of such
technology .
Moore's definition focuses on the human actions that are routed in
computer technology or influenced by computer technology. In other
words, it is a study, an analysis of the values of human actions
influenced by computer technology.
We are looking for a way to deal with these problems, probably
through education. So the definition of computer ethics, as outlines by
Moore, gives us a starting point on this long journey.
• Why You Should Study Computer Ethics
• Moore’s contention is that the central task of computer ethics, in decision making
processes that involve computer technology, should be to “determine what should
be done” whenever there is a policy vacuum. Moore first observed that there are
times when policy vacuums are created in the decision making processes, especially
those that involve processes in which computer technology is ‘essentially involved’.
• It is difficult to fully explain the cause of these vacuums, but one can say that they are
mainly caused by the ‘confusion’ between the known policies and what is presented.
• Moore tries to explain these muddles by a software example. Software offers a
multiplicities of choices to the decision maker by computer technology, which can
result in policy vacuums.
• Several other factors contribute to the creation of these muddles. It is likely that
computer users, especially computer professionals, may be unprepared to deal
effectively with the ethical issues that arise in their places of work and everywhere
else computers and computer related technology is used.
• So naturally one would come to a conclusion that since we cannot stop computer
technology which causes these muddles, we need a plan of action that will work with
the changing computing technology and at the same time deal with the ethical issues
that do arise. We need computer ethics education.
MORALITY AND THE LAW
• Definition of Morality
• Moral Theories
• Moral Codes
• Moral Standards
• Guilt and Conscience
• Natural Law
• Conventional Law
• Purpose of Laws
• Morality and the Law

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DEFINITION OF MORALITY
•A set of rules of right conduct
•A system used to modify and regulate
our behavior
•It includes virtues like:
• Love for others
• Compassion.
• Desire for justice.

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MORALITY …
It builds character traits in individuals.
It is group-based in the sense that it is a set of shared rules,
principles and duties applicable to a group/society
It has no reference to social standing of individuals in the
group
It is influenced by other factors like:
Time
place

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MORAL THEORIES
1.Each group/society justifies its beliefs in the system (set of rules of right
conduct) using theories- Moral Theories.
2.Moral theories seek to introduce a degree of rationality and rigor into
moral deliberations.
3.The rationale for our decisions is based on moral theories
4.Good decisions must ensure:
- Sound reasoning
- Impartiality

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MORAL THEORIES…
5. These must be guided through:
- Use of rational intuition- based on moral principles
- Use of reason to achieve the highest moral good
- Ability to distinguish between primary and secondary moral principles
( general to more specific)
- Rational calculation of consequences of action based on the decision

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MORAL CODES
•Rules or norms within a group or society for what is proper
behavior for the members
•Shared and behavioral patterns (for survival of the
group/society)
•There are some cultural-free and timeless moral codes
•Moral codes exert control over actions of members of that
society or group
•Compliance/adherence to the group’s moral code is almost
involuntary

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MORAL STANDARDS
A moral standard is a special moral norm that guides and enforces policy
Standards consists of:

 Enforcement of moral codes

 Self-judgment (Guilt)

Moral standards lax when enforcement and self-judgment decline

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GUILT AND CONSCIENCE
Morality as the system that sets standards for virtuous conduct also
contains judgment and enforcement mechanisms
Guilt is an internal judging and enforcement mechanism that consists
of:
 Self-judging and punishing oneself for not living up to the moral standards
 Self-forgiveness based on one’s set of “ moral standards”

Conscience is the capacity and ability to self-judge based on self moral

standards

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GUILT AND CONSCIENCE …
Conscience is motivated by one’s:
 Pride
 Compassion
 Empathy
 Love
 Personal identification
Conscience initiates one’s guilt feeling

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LAW
Rules of conduct or actions recognized by customs or decreed by a formal body
and enforceable by some instrument.
We obey two types of laws: Natural and Conventional

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NATURAL LAW
Unwritten but universal
consists of rights:
 Self-defense (preservation)
 Individual property
 Liberty

•It is a higher form of human law, therefore, independent of human

preferences and applies to all rational creatures of nature
•Before organized human societies, humans existed because of natural law.
•Civilization is based on it.

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CONVENTIONAL LAW
It is a system of rules created by and for human beings –
through, though not always, public deliberations
It varies from society to society
Its purpose is to:
 Protect human life, property and liberty.
 prescribe a system or punishments for unlawful acts – Penal Code

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