Ethical Considerations

Question 1

What is ethics?

Answer 1

Ethics is the branch of philosophy that deals with morality.

• how people make decisions and lead their lives
• distinguishing between good and evil in the world
• assessing whether human actions are right or wrong

Question 2

What is Metaethics

Answer 2

The origin and meaning of ethical concepts

Question 3

What is Metaphysics

Answer 3

the kinds of things that exist in the universe: are moral values “eternal
truths”

Question 4

What is moral realism

Answer 4

assumes moral principles are not based on subjective human

convention but have have an objective foundation e.g. eternal law / divine commands

Question 5

What is moral scepticism

Answer 5

denies existence of objective moral values, but does not reject
moral values themselves

Question 6

What is Moral relativism

Answer 6

accepts moral standards that are grounded in social approval

Question 7

What is computer ethics

Answer 7

• Computers generate
  wholly new ethical problems that would not have existed if computers had not been invented
• Computer ethics issues are old ethical problems that are “given a new twist” by
  computer technology.
• Computer technology is ‘logically malleable’
• allows people to do things previously
  impossible, so no laws/ specific ethical rules have been established to govern them
  – so
  leading to “policy vacuums”.

Question 8

Why are Ethics important in Computing?

Answer 8

IS are ubiquitous and have a profound impact on all aspects of human existence

• automating paper handling
• global positioning systems
• electronic voting register

Question 9

Mention some emerging ethical issues

Answer 9

Machine learning/artificial intelligence poses new and complicated ethical issues

• Automated decision making in life and death circumstances
• Authentication and veracity concerns
• Emergence of post

Question 10

What is the British Computer Society Code of Conduct

Answer 10

• out the professional standards required by BCS as a condition of membership;
• applies to all members, irrespective of their membership grade, the role they fulfil, or
  the jurisdiction where they are employed or discharge their contractual obligations

Question 11

What is the approach for ethical analysis- Baase

Answer 11

A practical approach, based on: reason; introspection; observation of human nature, values
& behavior; an understanding of ethical principles

Question 12

What is the approach for ethical analysis- Bricken

Answer 12

The reasoning which leads to an opinion is important, not the opinion itself
- Apply structured techniques to formulate and clarify thinking

Question 13

Mention some distinctions in applied ethics

Answer 13

• right, wrong, okay
• negative and positive rights
• wrong and harm
• separate goals from constraints
• law and ethiccs

Question 14

The Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics

Answer 14

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.
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 ensure consideration and respect for your fellow humans.