Intro to Ethics

1. Intro to Ethics CSCI 327 Social Implications of Computing

2. Scenarios (see textbook section 2.1.2) • Alexis using the campus computer for homework • U.S. ISPs block all traffic from Asian ISP • FBI uses traffic cameras to catch terrorists • Possible release of smartphone sales software with bugs

3. Definitions • Ethics - the study of morality. • Morality - system of rules for guiding conduct and principles for evaluating those rules.

4. Moral Systems • Moral systems are based on core values. • Values may be intrinsic (life, happiness) or instrumental (money) or both (privacy) • Basis for Moral Systems: • religion • Stealing is wrong because God doesn't like it. • philosophical system • Stealing is wrong because it is not reasonable. • legal system • Stealing is wrong because it is against the law.

5. Relativism Because there is no universal moral system, there is no universal right or wrong. • we can have opposite opinions and both be right • Subjective Relativism - each individual decides right and wrong based on their own values. • Cultural Relativism - different cultures have different values. Only members of that group can decide right and wrong.

6. Utilitarianism(consequence based) An individual act is morally permissible if the consequences that result from the act produce the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people. • Act Utilitarianism - base decisions on total outcomes of the act • Rule Utilitarianism - base decisions by following some general rules (rules apply to everyone) Example - enslave 1% of population to make cheap computer chips act util - okay because total good increases rule util - not okay because it would then be okay to exploit everyone

7. Kantianism(duty based) Moral system must be based in our obligations to each other. • act only if the rule can be applied universally to all humans (what if everyone did that?) • act only if the rule ensures that all humans will be treated as ends-in-themselves Example - student turns in paper late to save professor from being swamped. not moral because rule can not be applied to everyone

8. Social Contract(contract based) Because it is in our best interest to band together, we establish a society with a legal code. "In a state of nature human life would be solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short". Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) Example One - copying a CD social contract - wrong because against intellectual property law Example Two - child drowning in 3 feet of water social contract - there is no law stating that you must jump in and save the child

9. Just Consequentialism Combines consideration of consequences with considerations of duty, rights, and justice. • Basis: • "do no harm" - everyone wants to be protected • "do your duty" - everyone wants justice, promises to be kept, fulfill their roles, etc • How to apply: • Deliberate over the choices • does not cause unnecessary harm • supports rights, fulfills duties, … • Rank choices in terms of benefits and harms • weigh the good and bad • distinguish between disagreements about facts and values

10. Scenarios (again) • Alexis using the campus computer for homework • U.S. ISPs block all traffic from Asian ISP • FBI uses traffic cameras to catch terrorists • Possible release of smartphone sales software with bugs

11. Next Class… • Critical Thinking • How to form and evaluate arguments • In-Class Writing Assignment