chapter 1 - PROFESSIONALISM AND ETHICS IN COMPUTING
Professional Ethic
Personal and comporight of standard of behavior expected of the members of a particular profession
Engineering Ethic
The field of applied ethics and system of moral principle that applies to the practice of engineering
The field examines and sets the obligations by engineers to society, to their clients and to the professin
Computer Ethic
A part of practical philosophy which concerns with how computing professionals should make decisions regarding professional and social conduct
Philosophical and Computer Ethics
is relating or devoted to the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence
Define computer ethics
Morally acceptable use of computers
i.e. using computers appropriately
Standards or guidelines are important in this industry, because technology changes are outstripping the legal system’s ability to keep up
The Uniqueness of Computer Ethics
Consider some example of the impact of this unique technology
- Privacy issues
- Intellectual property issues
- Workplace issues
- Effects of malfunctions
3 main concept of ethic in computing
Responsibility :-
Here responsibility is interchangeable with duty and refers to what individuals are expected to do in virtue of one of their social roles
We have duties in virtue of being an employee, a parent, a citizen, a friend, etc.
These roles entail responsibilities that may not come into play until a special situation arises (e.g., your parent becomes ill)
Accountability :-
A person is accountable to give a report of what happened, to go to jail, to pay compensation or sometimes in the sense that they should bear guilt and remorse for the situation
Liability :-
Individuals can be considered responsible in the sense of being liable (legally).
To be the person who, according to law, must pay damages or compensate when certain events occur. E. g. if someone is working at your house, slips and hurts himself.
Importance of Ethic
-Prevents theft of Intellectual Property
-Prevents loss of various Jobs in the field of software development
-Keeps you from being unethical
-Makes your computer a better and safe place
Philosophical ethics
Consequentialism
Gives a plain and simple definition of consequentialism:
Of all the things a person might do at any given moment, the morally right action is the one with the best overall consequences.
Deontologism
Is the normative ethical position that judges the morality of an action based on the action's adherence to a rule or rules. It is sometimes described as "duty-" or "obligation-" or "rule-" based ethics
Social Contract Theory
is the view that persons' moral and/or political obligations are dependent upon a contract or agreement among them to form the society in which they live
Professionalism
The competence or skill expected of a professional
Ethic
A set of moral principles, especially ones relating to or affirming a specified group, field or form of conduct
Law
Is a system of rules that are enforced through social instituation to govern behavior
How Ethic, Professionalism and Law are related
Laws are based on Ethic, morals and order. professional practice is based on integrity, for example ethics, morals and order. Ethics are the basis of professional practice and law