Ethics Theory

Ethical Theories

In simplest form: deals with right and wrong
- Not necessarily what's legal
- Takes academic view
- Morality is the less formal view of same issues
  - The same ideas, only learned from family, early schools, church
Former Chief Justice Earl Warren: "Society would come to grief without ethics, which is unenforceable in the courts, and cannot be made part of the law."
Ordinary citizens have ethical responsibilities
Professionals have extra ones:
- Shun participation in deception
- Avoid conflicts of interest with other obligations
- Be faithful agent to client interests
- Follow the ethical guidelines set by their profession
What is ethics within a technical profession?
- Technical question: Can a certain thing be done?
- Ethical question: Should it be done?
- Example: ELIZA
Does it always mean you shouldn't work on a project that you believe has unethical aspects? Ask David Parnas.

Ethical theory

Provides framework to:
- Get at underlying rationale
- Classify and understand arguments
- Defend conclusions about right and wrong
Some ethical theories try to be normative (or perhaps we would more likely use the term "prescriptive")
Others are descriptive or relative

Ethical relativism**
Often used as disparaging term
Basis of the doctrine: There are many differences among individuals, groups
- Cannot agree on definitions, principles
Therefore, what is ethical depends on the individual, the group, the culture, tradition, background
- E.g., Student caught breaking into computer says that, at another university where he came from, it was accepted and encouraged
Argument against: Just because one class of individuals does something, does not mean it is right.

Utilitarianism**
One must act to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number
Requires definition of good
Requires computation of amount of good
Places public good over private good
Possible harmful to minorities and individuals, sacrificed for the majority
It is the consequences, not the acts, that are right or wrong (the ends justify the means)

Deontological theories**
What is the etymology of this term?
First, what is etymology?
Best exemplified by the concept that "the means justify the end"
The act itself is prime, carries the moral weight
Rejects acts that harm minorities, individuals
Stems from Immanual Kant, 1724-1804
- Biggest rival of utilitarianism
- Moral or categorical imperative - a rule that commands action independent of desired end (including happiness)
- Criterion of universality - the logical possibility of requiring universal obedience to a rule of action
- "Never treat another human being as a means but always as an end in himself or herself."
- Obvious objection: "No one would agree any one rule should be followed without exception"
- "Do what is right, though the world should perish."
Summary**

** From ISYS 415 - Computer Ethics, by Ruth Guthrie, University of Redlands.
See also the description of the Moral Philosophies from Paul-Michael Agapow, at Latrobe University, Australia. Summary of ethics theory Essential Steps for Ethical Problem-Solving, NASW Office of Ethics and Professional Review.
Last updated 2002/04/17
Copyright H. Rex Hartson, 1995;
Edited, J.A.N. Lee, 1997-2002.

Ethical relativism**

Utilitarianism**

Deontological theories**

Summary**