Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Estrella
Ethics in a
Computing Culture
Chapter 1 | Critical Reasoning and Moral Theory
Ethics = Rules
Morals = principle (right or wrong)
• Critics of cultural relativism argue that such acts are immoral in any
culture, and that some universal moral standards apply to all culture
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/ask-the-expert-stones-on-graves/
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B.4. Virtue Theory
• Virtue Theory: is a moral theory that, as the name implies, concerns the nature
of virtue and what it means to have virtue.
• It answers 2 questions:
1. What does it mean to be “good”?
2. How does one become good?
Video: Virtue Ethics. Retrieved from:
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfSXUPrIC_4
Virtue Theory
1. What does it mean to be “good”?
• Aristotle said the “Ideal Man is one who possesses the characteristics
of a good person (virtues), including courage, friendliness, and modesty”
• Ideal Mean: means in between two extremes of human
characteristics
• It also represent s the half-way point between risk and generosity
Pleasure is not simply the physical pleasure. It includes mental and emotional
pleasure in the sense of
• satisfaction of accomplishment
• Appreciation of an interesting idea
• Aesthetic
• Helping others
Person's act is morally right if and only if it produces at least as much happiness as
any other act that the person could perform at that time
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2 Forms of Utilitarianism
2. Rule Utilitarianism: the concept of adopting a set of rules, and each act is
evaluated as to whether it conforms to them. The rules are selected so as to
maximize happiness if followed faithfully.
• The basic premise of rule utilitarianism is that easy-to-follow rules will lead to fewer
calculations
Bernard Gert rules of morality:
1.Do not kill.
2.Do not cause pain.
3.Do not disable.
4.Do not deprive of freedom.
5.Do not deceive.
6.Keep your promises.
7.Do not cheat.
8.Obey the law.
9.Do your duty.
Action is right as it conforms to a rule that leads to the greatest good, or that "the rightness or
wrongness of a particular action is a function of the correctness of the rule of which it is an
instance."
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Act VS Rule Utilitariasm
• A RULE UTILITARIAN drives at night and sees a red intersection light.
Thinking "it would have good consequences if people would stick to
the rule and not cross red lights, so everyone is safe while waiting for a
short while", she would apply that rule to herself and wait for it to turn
green.
Citations:
Google Images
Youtube
© Noel E. Estrella
Ethics in a Computing
Culture
Chapter 2 |Computing Professions and
Professional Ethics
Summative Activities
Chapter Activity (Killed by the Machine)
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Solving Cases (Assignment/BB Discussion Board)
Guide Questions:
What is a profession?
Technological Associations
PROFESSional
What happened?
KILLED
KILLEDBY
BYAAMACHINE:
MACHINE:THE
THETHERAC-25
THERAC-25
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Photos: Google Images
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http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1042269_update-braking-
issue-in-2010-toyota-prius-hybrid-recall-tbd
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Photos: Google Images
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“The investigation has found only one plausible root cause for
sudden unintended acceleration, and inability to stop the
Mitsubishi Montero Sport vehicle. Our hypothesis is that these
incidents were caused by the driver mistakenly applying the
accelerator, believing that they were pressing the brake
pedal.
https://www.carmudi.com.ph/journal/its-official-the-montero-sport-sua-issue-was-all-
driver-error/
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Photos: Google Images
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I will consider the general welfare and public welfare and public
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good in the performance of my work.
I will advertise goods or professional services in a clear and truthful
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manner.
I will comply and strictly abide by the intellectual property laws,
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patent laws and other related laws in respect of Information
Technology.
5 I will accept the full responsibility for the work undertaken and utilize
my skills with competence and professionalism.
2010, http://elainecervania.blogspot.com/2010/07/code-of-ethics-of-filipino-it.html
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2010, http://elainecervania.blogspot.com/2010/07/code-of-ethics-of-filipino-it.html
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Defining “Profession”
• No single definition of “profession” is accepted by everyone
• Does having a license turn you into a professional?
Defining “Profession”
• According to Michael Bayles, a professional:
1. requires extensive training
2. involves significant intellectual effort
3. provides an important service to society
4. often requires certification or licensing
5. often has an organization of members
6. often is autonomous in one’s work
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Profession
• The word “profession” means different things to different
people. But at its core, it’s meant to be an indicator of trust
and expertise.
• A disciplined group of individuals who adhere to ethical
standards.
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Case 1: Bribery
Lawyer| Physician | Reporter:
Suppose you are a practicing
professional, and you find out
that your client has been bribing
city officials to get inside
information on bids for city
projects.
Should you report your client to
the authorities or keep his
confidence?
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1. Direct Bribery
A. That the accused is a public officer
B. That he received directly or through another, some gift or present, offer
or promise
C. That such gift, present offer or promise has been given in consideration of
his commission of some crime, or any act not consisting a crime, or to
refrain from doing something which it is his official duty to do
D. That the crime or act relates to the exercise of his functions as a public
officer
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2. Indirect Bribery - The crime committed by a public officer who accepts a gift given by
reason of his office or position. A gift is actually received and not future promises or offers.
The officer must have done an act appropriating the gift for himself, his family or
employees. “ The essential ingredient … is that the public officer concerned must have
accepted the gift or material consideration ( Garcia vs. Sandiganbayan 507 SCRA 258)
1. An envelope was left on top of the desk of officer. The officer called his staff and told
them to use all the amount to buy food and snacks. This is indirect bribery
2. If the officer however gave it to the Jail or to some children, he is not liable
3. If he simply let the envelope drop on the floor and left it there, he is not liable.
4. If somebody pays the bill for his meal or drinks, he is not liable for indirect bribery as he
did not accept any gift.
5. Receipt of cash given as “share in winnings” or “balato” are included
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Case 5: Referring to your assignment 1 tiled 'Borrowing a Password" , did anyone do anything
“wrong”? If a university policy stated that providing passwords to others is prohibited, would
the action be wrong?