Professional And Ethical Issues in

IT
CIS6004

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Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module, students should be able to:
• Critically consider the wider legal, social, professional and ethical
environment for IT professionals.
• Critically discuss contemporary issues at the intersection of
computing, technology, economy, politics and society.
• Demonstrate appreciation of the importance of a professional and
ethical approach to computer science, software engineering and
information systems, along with the importance of lifelong
professional development.

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Assessment and Weighing
This module is assessed as follows:
1. WRIT1 – Student led Workshop (workshop plan and delivery)– 50%
2. Open Book Exam – 50%

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Lineup today…
• What is Ethics ?
• Ethical Theories

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Ethics

http://radiganneuhalfen.blogspot.com/2009/07/ethics-with-calvin-and-hobbes.html
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What is “Ethics”?
• Most people have some idea of what is “ethical” and what is “unethical”….But
what do these terms mean?

• Ethics is a discipline concerned with:-

• Moral duty and obligation
• Principles of conduct governing human behaviour
• Rules determining notions of “right” and “wrong”

• “Ethics” are not the same as personal opinions or tastes

• “Ethics” are founded on sound reasoning and rational principles

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Ethical principles
• Behaviour is informed by ethical principles
• “if you do X you are good …”
• “if you do Y you are bad …”
• What principles underlie behaviour X and behaviour Y?
• Principles of ‘good’ behaviour (X) might include:-
• Respecting others
• Considering others as equal; Treating people fairly
• Keeping your word; Acting honestly
• Respecting others’ property
• Principles of ‘bad’ behaviour (Y)?…opposite of above?

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Social Norms & Cultural Values
• Social norms and cultural values also shape our ethical principles,
and provide us with guidance
• These are determined by the societies and communities in which we
live, our religion, family upbringing, social class, age, peer groups,
media, etc.
• Ethical principles may therefore vary between societies and cultures,
and within them
• Are their universal ethical principles that most people would agree
with?

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Universal principles
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights (United Nations)
• adopted by General Assembly of the UN [1948]
• Formal expression of what many people believe to be ‘right’
• Ethical principles enshrined in the UDHR include:-
• “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights….Recognition
of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members
of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the
world.”

https://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/index.html

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Universal principles
Ethical principles enshrined in the UDHR (cont’d):-
• Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth:-
• Life, liberty and security of person
• Privacy, honour and reputation
• To own property (and not be deprived of their property)
• Freedom of thought, conscience, religion, opinion and expression

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Ethical Theories
• Ethical theories attempt to explain why we think some actions are
“good” and others “bad”
• Tools for assessing issues and making decisions
• Commonly used theories from the European philosophical tradition
include:-
• Deontological theories
• Consequentialist theories

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Deontological theories
• Concerned with moral duty (“deon” = duty)
• Associated with Immanuel Kant
• Actions are right or wrong in themselves, regardless of
consequences
• Eg. killing, lying, cheating
• There are no circumstances where such actions are ethically
justify
• Principles of universality, rationality
• Problems with this approach?
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Consequentialist theories
• Actions are right or wrong depending on their consequences
• Utilitarianism is a form of consequentialism, in which “good” actions
are those which bring the greatest benefit to the greatest number of
people
• Problems with this approach?

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Applying Ethical Theories
• Ethical theories can be used to examine different arguments and
possible courses of action
• Example: “unauthorised access” to computer systems
• What if someone hacked into a computer network in order to expose
information that was in the public interest?
• What would be the deontological position on this?
• How about a consequentialist or utilitarian position?

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Computer Ethics
The 10 commandments of computer ethics:-
1. Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people.
2. Thou shalt not interfere with other people's computer work.
3. Thou shalt not snoop around in other people's computer files.
4. Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.
5. Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness.
6. Thou shalt not copy or use proprietary software for which you have not paid.
7. Thou shalt not use other people's computer resources without authorization or proper compensation.
8. Thou shalt not appropriate other people's intellectual output.
9. Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you are writing or the system you are
designing.
10. Thou shalt always use a computer in ways that ensure consideration and respect for your fellow humans.
http://computerethicsinstitute.org/

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Identifying Ethical Issues
• Ethical issues arise when ethical principles are threatened
• E.g. Ethical principle: “respect other people’s property”
• Action: “accessing someone’s computer system without their permission” (e.g.
hacking, using spyware, etc.)

• Some other key ethical principles:-

• Right to privacy; right to freedom of expression
• Right of access to information (right to know)
• Fairness, justice, equality
• Honesty, integrity, openness, transparency
• Confidentiality, trust, consent
• Others?

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Identifying Ethical Issues
• Ethical issues are often contentious areas or dilemmas in which….
• The issues are not simply black or white
• There are “grey” areas
• There are no clear “right” or “wrong” answers
• There are opposing perspectives and points of view
• There are different approaches leading to different courses of action
• Ethical issues are often framed as questions…
• Should a law firm be able to access data about the online activities of broadband
customers if those customers are suspected of illegally downloading copyrighted
material?

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Evaluating ethical issues
• Evaluating an ethical issue requires:-
• Identifying the issue or question
• Who is affected? (stakeholders)
• What is at stake? What ethical principles are involved?
• Different perspectives and arguments
• Possible courses of action, outcomes and solutions
• Importance of thinking through the issue and examining the options, rather
than “following the crowd”
• Importance of making decisions based on principles and sound reasons

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Required reading
• A Gift of Fire: Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues for Computing
Technology (4th Edition)
• Chapter 1.4 : page 26

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Extra Reading
• https://pagecentertraining.psu.edu/public-relations-
ethics/introduction-to-public-relations-ethics/lesson-1/ethical-
theories/
• https://www.nordu.net/content/networking-ethics

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