ethics. n sing or pl 1: a discipline dealing with good and evil and with moral duty. 2: moral principles or practice.

moral adj 1: of or relating to principles of right and wrong. 2: conforming to a standard of right behaviour; also : capable of right and wrong action 3: probable but not proved <a ~ certainty> 4:PSYCHOLOGICAL <a ~ victory> syn virtuous, righteous, noble.¹

The dictionary definition of ethics and morals is loaded with potent words: "good and evil", "principles", "duty", and "right and wrong". We tend to think of ethics as a simple system; one which we believe we are supposed to know almost by intuition, based on values taught to us by our parents and other teachers. As adults, we are confronted with decisions that require careful thought and involve a system more complicated and riskier than the system taught to us as children.

As equally potent in the dictionary definition are the words "discipline", "practice" ,and "behaviour." Ethics is not about intuiting the right decision, but about a constant development of a system for ethical decision making. For purposes of discussing ethics for the computing industry, certain principles apply:

• ethical claims can be discussed rationally
• ethical claims must be defended with reason
• ethical choices cannot be avoided
• some easy ethical approaches are questionable

An ethics system requires developing ethical skills:

• arguing from example, analogy, and counter-examples
• identifying ethical principles and stakeholders
• identifying and evaluating alternative courses of action
• applying ethical codes (whether these be religious, professional, business, or personal)

Ethical Theories

Some major themes have evolved in ethical theories, some of which are as follows²:

Idealism (deontologism) - create a good society by having people "do good". People are the ends, not the means. Emphasizes the internal character of the act itself. Some actions are wrong, no matter what the consequences.

Pragmatism (utilitarianism) - a moral rule that results in the greatest good for the greatest number is correct. Emphasizes the result. "Rule-utilitarians" would adopt rules that maximize happiness in the long run (for example, truth-telling). "Act-utilitarians" emphasize individual actions, not rules.

Natural Rights - entitlement to act without interference (liberties) or to obligate others to act on one's behalf (claim-rights). Sometimes described as allowing an individual to act within a sphere of freedom; once outside that sphere, requires voluntary interaction with others to resolve conflicts. Treats peoples as ends and increases overall happiness. Emphasizes the process.

The Ethical Analysis

• Identify the ethically relevant facts
• o the ethical agent
• o the alternative actions
• o the consequences of those actions
• o the affected stakeholders
• Apply ethical principles
• o apply an ethical principle, theory, or code to each of the alternatives; does the principle support the alternative?
• o apply a different ethical principle, theory, or code to each of the alternatives; does this principle support the alternative?
• o compare the results.
• Choose the most viable and appropriate alternative.

Ethical dilemmas most often do not involve "right or wrong" decisions, but more often involve decisions that are ethically prohibited, ethically obligatory, or neither ethically prohibited or obligatory ("acceptable").

References:

1. The New Merriam-Webster Pocket Dictionary (1970).

2. For a glossary of terms commonly used in the discussions of ethics, see Lawrence M. Hinman, "Ethics Updates, Glossary."

Computer Ethics is a course taught for the CS/IS Department at Kennesaw State University by Ann K. Moceyunas

Last updated: August 25, 2002. Opinions expressed on this website are those of the author, Ann K. Moceyunas. Certain Portions Copyright © 1996 -2002 Moceyunas P.C. All rights reserved. Have Questions? Contact Ann Moceyunas at ann@moceyunas.com.