Introduction to Computer Ethics

1. Introduction to Computer Ethics

2. Computer ethics defined (1) • The ethical questions that arise as a consequence of the development and deployment of computing technologies. This involves: • clarifying the issues & problems • developing a framework for their resolution Johnson & Nissenbaum

3. Computer ethics defined (2) • 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 James Moor

4. Computer ethics defined (3) • Computer ethics examines the impact of computers on our social, legal, and moral systems … Tavani

5. Evolution of computer ethics issues

6. Is computer ethics different from other kinds of ethics? • I.e., is an entirely new kind of ethics required in order to deal with the ethical questions that arise from widespread computer use? • Let’s distinguish between the uniqueness of the technology & the uniqueness of the ethical issues. • Even though there is a relationship • Powerful technologies have profound social consequences.

7. The uniqueness of the computer • It plays a defining role in the world • It has expanded capabilities • And provides expanded possibilities • It has created new entities • The scale of computer-dependent activities is greater than ever because of its: • Speed • Scope • Ability to store & manipulate large amounts of data • Ability to perform complex calculations

8. The uniqueness of computer ethics? • Consider some examples of the impact of this unique technology: • Privacy issues • Intellectual property issues • Workplace issues • Effects of malfunctions

9. Some say “yes”, others say “no” • All agree that it’s important to study computer ethics, but with varying perspectives • Maner: yes • There are brand new ethical issues before us that didn’t exist before the advent of computing. • Johnson: no • The ethical problems that arise are not new, but are new species of old problems. • Moor: yes & no • Ethical problems arising from situations in which computers are essentiallyinvolved are unique. • Barlow: yes • Views cyberspace as a newly discovered continent.

10. Deborah Johnson New species have special features and…if we simply treat them as the same as other familiar cases we may fail to recognize how the new features change the situation in morally significant ways.

11. James Moor The logical malleability & informational enrichment capabilities of computers give rise to policy vacuums caused by conceptual muddles.

12. Best available definition: a field concerned with "policy vacuums" and "conceptual muddles" regarding the social and ethical use of information technology Moor policy vacuum – Computers provide us with new capabilities and these in turn give us new choices for action conceptual muddle - a problem in computer ethics may seem clear initially, a little reflection reveals a conceptual muddle

13. Computer ethics as a field of professional ethics • Most professions promote standards for acceptable behavior. What special responsibilities do computer professionals have?

14. Computer ethics as a field of philosophical ethics • Johnson • New species of old problems • Moor • Filling ethical policy vacuums • Brey • Disclosive ethics

15. A first stab at analyzing a computer ethics situation • Who are the stakeholders? • What are the technology aspects that give rise to significant ethical issues? • Formulate an analogy that enables you to highlight & clarify the significant issues • Draw a conclusion.

16. Identifying stakeholders • The social context and socialimpact of a specific instance of computer usage are best understood when we can identify the stakeholders - those individuals and groups whose lives will be most affected. • What relationships do these people have to each other? to the technology? • How are various aspects of their lives affected by this use of technology?

17. Analogies • Reasoning by analogy involves the use of familiar situations to understand ethical issues involving computers. • They are useful in teasing out the similarities as well as the differences. • They must be fully developed to be useful.

18. General Comments on Ethics • The world of ethics is gray • Ethical conflict is characterized by • Intense feelings • Rapid development

19. The Top Ten Rules 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.

20. 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 insure consideration and respect for your fellow humans.