Impact of Computers on Society

1. Impact of Computerson Society 10. ETHICS – Let’s talk about this early in the semester

2. Empathy • Human beings are capable of standing outside of themselves • humans can look at themselves • humans can look at others • humans can understand how others feel • Without empathy, others are merely the means to one’s own ends • Empathy is the foundation of all ethics

3. Ethics is … • The study of doing the right thing for oneself and for others • It’s not always clear what the “right” thing to do is • Do we “discover” ethics? • Do we “invent” ethics? • A set of rules? • A set of principles? • Societal? • Individual? • Immutable? • Adapted to a particular situation?

4. Three main ways of arguing ethics • Deontological approach • Utilitarian or teleological approach • “Natural Rights” approach

5. Deontology • Immanuel Kant (1780’s) • The Categorical Imperative • Decide as if you are deciding for all time and all situations – in other words, as if you were God. • There is something intrinsic in a situation that makes it right or wrong • People are never means to an end; they are ends in and of themselves

6. An Extreme • For Kant, ethical rules are absolute • A categorical imperative would denote an absolute, unconditional requirement that exerts its authority in all circumstances, and is both required and justified as an end in itself.— Wikipedia • “In law a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so.” • “Do what is right, though the world may perish.” • —Immanuel Kant

7. Utilitarianism, Teleology, Consequentialism • John Stuart Mill (1860’s) and Jeremy Bentham (c. 1800) • The goal is to increase “happiness” or “utility” • Compare with Epicurean philosophy • A decision is based on a “calculation” of utility, based on general guidelines

8. Natural Rights • John Locke (late 1600’s) • Derive your principles from human nature – from what people would naturally do if not interfered with • People have exclusive rights to themselves and to the fruits of their labor. • Rules against killing, stealing, deception are implicit in this.

9. Fundamental Similarities • Deontology is based on given fundamental principles, such as the Ten Commandments. • Teleology is based on a single given fundamental: Seek the greatest “happiness” for the greatest number. • In a sense both Deontological and Teleological arguments boil down to the Golden Rule – Do Unto Others…

10. A Clarification • Kant would not agree that the Categorical imperative and the Golden Rule are synonymous • The Categorical Imperative is universal whereas the Golden Rule is tied to situations • A criminal might argue that it is all right to steal because he expects others to steal from him • One might refuse to donate to charity on the grounds that he himself does not wish to be the recipient of charity • On similar grounds one could “justify” cheating, lying, breaking promises • All of the above would remain immoral under the Categorical Imperative because of its universality

11. Where do most Americans get their values? • Family • Community • Religious training or belief • Role models • Pop culture • High culture • Laws and codes of conduct

12. Three Basic Documents • Declaration of Independence • We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights • United States Constitution • The Bill of Rights spells out what some of those unalienable rights are • Bible • Ten Commandments • Golden Rule

13. Ethical Dilemmas • Situations are rarely black and white • Harm to some people may be the result of doing the right thing • Sometimes difficult to draw the line between our own personal preferences and what is right or wrong – obscene speech, for example. • Ethics can get mixed up with politics and religion, too.

14. Sincerely held convictions may be invalid • The Devil is sincere . . . • but he is sincerely wrong! • Denton Wayside Chapel

15. An Example Situation • Janet is a member of the MegaWare sales force. She has become aware that her colleague Brad has been promising customers far more than the software is capable of delivering. What should she do?

16. Should Janet … • Keep her mouth shut because she has done nothing wrong? • Have a frank discussion with Brad? • Drop an anonymous “hint” in the suggestion box? • Start a rumor? • Tell her supervisor? • Tell upper management? • Go to the news media? • Find another job? • Or … ?

17. Complicating Factors Imagine that… • The software is part of a video game • Instead, the software is part of an air traffic control module • Janet’s husband has a rare blood disorder which has resulted in huge medical bills • Janet is not absolutely certain Brad’s claims will result in damage to equipment • Janet is not absolutely certain Brad’s claims will result in harm to passengers • Remember ENRON

18. There is no way to avoid harm to someone in this situation • Brad has already been compromised • Janet could be branded a troublemaker or lose her job • The employer could lose money • Shareholder investments could lose value • What about customers? • Financial loss • Lawsuits • End users, passengers, the general public could be hurt • Hopefully, the damage will be limited to Brad since he was responsible for the original exaggeration and deception.

19. An Ethics Exercise • Choose something in society you believe is wrong • Then determine… • Exactly what is wrong • Who is affected? • Why it is wrong? • Would it perhaps be OK in another setting? • Make a list of the principles upon which your determination of wrong is based