Bnote5 -- Version: Tue Mar 30 13:24:03 EDT 2010
Bnote 5a
pp. 9-30 A PROLOGUE
------------------------------------------
** Are Cyberethics issues unique ethical issues?
Ask:
a) the same problems as before?
b) exacerbated by cybertechnology?
c) new forms of behavior enabled?
e.g., cyberstalking
Are special ethical issues raised?
Wrt "enabled":
- clearly scope and scale is larger
- wider reach, more people
also...
Cybertechnology - logically malleable
- general purpose
- new human action possibilities
May need new/revised policies
What's a policy?
policy - "rules of conduct"
- from guidelines to laws
- justified exemptions (rules are not absolute)
- level of obligation (within contexts)
conceptual muddle - conceptual confusions caused by new technology
policy vacuum - no explicit policy or law to guide behavior
examples?
e.g.,
muddle - is software a set of ideas, writing or a thing?
i.e., IP, copyright, or patent law? or just plain theft?
vacuum - when can you copy/share software?
- there are already laws about "stealing" physical property.
Muddles tend to indicate vacuum
Muddles tend to confuse us: "copying software isn't stealing
as the owner still has their copy"
Resolution of muddles obviously affect policy.
Another example:
is a blog like a newspaper or a periodical? (expected to be truthful)
is a blog like a tabloid? (expected to be fictional & entertainment)
is a blog like a conversation? (could be either)
i.e., does it publish things claimed to be facts or just opinions
does a blog have a publisher?
do libel laws apply?
Here's a relevant blog
** Cyberethics as a branch of Applied Ethics
1) Cyberethics as a field of Professional Ethics
2) Cyberethics as a field of Philosophical Ethics
3) Cyberethics as a field of Sociological/Descriptive Ethics
Professional Ethics - for professions such as for Medicine, Law
- works if CS/IT workers are in a profession
- codes of conduct: moral responsibility & obligation
e.g., for system reliability/safety
- impacts many situations but not all
-- blogger code of ethics?
-- developing software that can have bad uses?
e.g., file sharing
-- ISP code of ethics?
i.e, wider scope: information professional?
Philosophical Ethics - broader context - social and individual
- e.g., privacy, IP, free speech
- will need to be "sharpened" in response to
conceptual muddles & policy vacuums.
Methodology - 1. identify a controversial practice as a moral problem
2. analyze: describe/clarify concepts, examine facts
(may also handle conceptual muddles & policy vacuums)
3. apply moral theories & principles
(a deliberative process to reach a position about the practice)
Sociological/Descriptive Ethics
- discover what the facts are in real life
- it describes moral systems that are in place
- i.e., identify an issue/problem/situation
what is social impact?
changes in behavior?
increased risks?
new crimes?
e.g., Facebook
Social Impact?
How has Facebook affected concept of "friend", "community"?
Changes in behavior? why?
Increased risks? what kinds? for who?
New crimes occurred?
** COMPREHENSIVE CYBERETHICS METHODOLOGY
Is cybertechnology "neutral"?
i.e., Does cybertechnology have built in values and biases?
e.g., Guns are "biased towards" violence.
Cybertechnology is biased towards ...?
Some issues associated with computers are known moral issues - "transparent"
Some not transparent
- features known but problems not yet recognized
i.e., users are not yet aware of moral implications
(e.g., searching)
- features not yet discovered
i.e., users not aware of technology that has moral implications
(e.g., data mining)
A "comprehensive strategy" for approaching ethical issues
see text section 1.6
note5b
pp. 102-127
---------------------------------------------------------
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS, CODES OF CONDUCT, AND MORAL RESPONSIBILITY
What are the professions?
What characteristics do they share?
i.e., what makes them professions?
Characteristics for Professions
- expert knowledge
- autonomy
- potential for significant impact (good or harm)
- code of ethics
So......
Is a Computer/IT professional a member of a "Profession"?
Who is included as an computer/IT professional?
- just programmers?
When do software engineers & programmers have special responsibilities ?
e.g., can they do good, cause harm?
can they enable others to do good, cause harm?
can they influence others to do good, cause harm?
Note safety critical software -- examples?
** RISK ASSESSMENT IN SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
In software development, what's normally done wrt risk assessment?
Risk assessment based on cost effectiveness
vs.
Models of risk that include social, ethical and political issues
i.e.,
company risk - e.g., scheduling, budgeting
external risk - risk to public
Value Sensitive Design (VSD)
- potential impact of software on human values
VSD Conceptual Investigations:
- what values affected?
- how to trade off? e.g., anonymity vs. security
- how to weight moral values? e.g., privacy
- how to weight other values? e.g., aesthetics
** PROFESSIONAL CODES
Purpose of Professional Codes:
- inspiration
- education
- guidance
- accountability
- enforcement
Do professional codes have "teeth"?
Are professional codes complete?
Are professional codes for individuals or groups?
Do professional codes encourage lack of deliberation & reasoning?
ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
http://www.acm.org/about/code-of-ethics
1.General Moral Imperatives.
1.1 Contribute to society and human well-being.
1.2 Avoid harm to others.
1.3 Be honest and trustworthy.
1.4 Be fair and take action not to discriminate.
1.5 Honor property rights including copyrights and patent.
"Copies of software should be made only with proper authorization."
1.6 Give proper credit for intellectual property.
1.7 Respect the privacy of others.
1.8 Honor confidentiality.
2. More Specific Professional Responsibilities.
2.1 Strive to achieve the highest quality, effectiveness and dignity
in both the process and products of professional work.
2.2 Acquire and maintain professional competence.
2.3 Know and respect existing laws pertaining to professional work.
2.4 Accept and provide appropriate professional review.
2.5 Give comprehensive and thorough evaluations of computer systems
and their impacts, including analysis of possible risks.
2.6 Honor contracts, agreements, and assigned responsibilities.
2.7 Improve public understanding of computing and its consequences.
2.8 Access computing and communication resources only when authorized
to do so.
3.Organizational Leadership Imperatives.
...
4. Compliance with the Code.
"Adherence of professionals to a code of ethics is largely a
voluntary matter. However, if a member does not follow this
code by engaging in gross misconduct, membership in ACM may
be terminated. "
Does it do a good job of making your Moral Responsibility clear?
IEEE-CS/ACM Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice
http://csciwww.etsu.edu/gotterbarn/secepp/page.asp?Name=Code
1 PUBLIC - Software engineers shall act consistently with the public interest.
2 CLIENT AND EMPLOYER - Software engineers shall act in a manner that
is in the best interests of their client and employer,
consistent with the public interest.
3 PRODUCT - Software engineers shall ensure that their products and
related modifications meet the highest professional
standards possible.
4 JUDGMENT - Software engineers shall maintain integrity and
independence in their professional judgment.
5 MANAGEMENT - Software engineering managers and leaders shall
subscribe to and promote an ethical approach to the
management of software development and maintenance.
6 PROFESSION - Software engineers shall advance the integrity and
reputation of the profession consistent with the public
interest.
7 COLLEAGUES - Software engineers shall be fair to and supportive of their colleagues.
8 SELF - Software engineers shall participate in lifelong learning
regarding the practice of their profession and shall
promote an ethical approach to the practice of the
profession.
Education - ACM core curriculum & ABET both require Soc. Imps!
** Employee Loyalty & Whistle-Blowing
Moral responsibility...
An employee should be loyal to his/her employer?
An employer should be loyal to his/her employee?
contrast USA vs Japan
When does loyalty to employer conflict with other obligations?
whistle-blower - "an individual who makes revelations meant to call
attention to negligence, abuses, or dangers that
threaten the public interest"
- usually from within a company
how to decide when to do it?
what are consequences?
how to protect them?
Moral responsibility...
morally permitted - serious harm to public likely
- threat reported to supervisor
- all company procedures already tried
morally obligated - documented evidence
- believe that going public will prevent harm
Even if it doesnt concern serious harm...
"A handful of bloggers have recently discovered that their labors of
love may lead to unemployment. By some estimates, dozens of people
have been fired for blogging, and the numbers are growing every day."
www.eff.org/wp/blog-safely
The Electronic Frontier Foundation suggests to blog anonymously about
work, and to make sure that you "morally permitted" if it is whistle blowing.
** MORAL RESPONSIBILITY, LEGAL LIABILITY & ACCOUNTABILITY
Responsibility - X morally responsible for Y if X caused Y
- X morally responsible for Y if X intends Y
Legal Liability - liable for compensation
- no blame assigned
Accountability - broader concept
- individual, group or corporation (where the buck stops)
- problem of "many hands" - many people contributed
"the software is sold as is"!
--------------------
|