Computing Ethics Module

7/27/2019 Computing Ethics Module

1/19

Ethics LectureDr. Christina Howe

[email protected]

Dr. Deborah Hwang

[email protected]


2/19

Ethics Pre-Assessment Survey

Survey will not count towards your grade.


3/19

Definitions

Etiquette

The codes of behavior and courtesy. Rules indicating the

proper and polite way to behave.

Laws

The system of rules established by an authority such as

the government of a town, state, or country.

Morals

The accepted standards of right and wrong that areusually applied to personal behavior.


4/19

Definitions

Ethics

A branch of philosophy that involves systematizing,

defending, and recommending concepts of right and

wrong behavior

The principles of conduct governing an individual or a

group

Computing Ethics

The field of applied ethics and system of moral

principles that apply to the practice of computing. The

field examines and sets the obligations by developers

to society, to their clients, and to the profession.


5/19

Why do we need to study computing

ethics? Discuss important ethical issues before they occur

Ethical issues can be complex and deal with conflicting

principles

Acquire skills in dealing with complex ethical problemsand know the tools available to help solve them

Protect the public

Protect ourselves

Maintain a high quality of work

Keep us honest


6/19

Scope of Computing Ethics

Computing

Ethics

SocialResponsibility

Design Process

Policy

Legislation

Safety

Global Issues

PersonalResponsibility

Professionalism

Conflict ofInterest

Whistle Blowing

Reject Bribery

AssistingColleagues

EmployerResponsibility

Managers,Engineers,

Consultants

FairCompensation

Investment in

Research

ProfessionalDevelopment of

Employees


7/19


Computing

Ethics


Design Process

Policy

Legislation

Safety

Global Issues


Professionalism

Conflict ofInterest

Whistle Blowing

Reject Bribery

AssistingColleagues


Managers,Engineers,

Consultants

FairCompensation

Investment in

Research


Employees


8/19


Computing

Ethics


Design Process

Policy

Legislation

Safety

Global Issues


Professionalism

Conflict ofInterest

Whistle Blowing

Reject Bribery

AssistingColleagues


Managers,Engineers,

Consultants

FairCompensation

Investment in

Research


Employees


9/19


Computing

Ethics


Design Process

Policy

Legislation

Safety

Global Issues


Professionalism

Conflict ofInterest

Whistle Blowing

Reject Bribery

AssistingColleagues


Managers,Developers,Consultants

FairCompensation

Investment in

Research


Employees


10/19

Codes of Ethics for Computing

Provide the framework for ethical decisions Governing agencies

ACM: Association for Computing Machinery

IEEE-CS: Inst of Electrical and Electronics Engrs Computer Society

NSPE National Society of Professional Engineers

Web Resources ACM Special Interest Group on Computers and Society (SIGCAS): http://www.sigcas.org

NSF Workshops, Teaching Ethics and Computing, K. Bowyer, Univ. Notre Dame:http://www.cse.nd.edu/~kwb/nsf-ufe/index.html

Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility: http://cpsr.org /

The Research Center on Computing & Society: http://ares.southernct.edu/organizations/rccs/

The Online Ethics Center for Engineering and Science: http://onlineethics.org/

Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at IIT: http://ethics.iit.edu/

Association for Practical and Professional Ethics at IU: http://www.indiana.edu/~appe/ IEEE document of professional aspects of employment, click here.

IEEE document on education/professionalism, click here.

UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, click here.

Texas A&M Univ. engineering ethics: http://ethics.tamu.edu/

National Institute for Engineering Ethics: http://www.niee.org/

NSPE Board of Ethical Review: http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/BoardofEthicalReview/ (e.g., seeBoard of Ethical Review case analyses at http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/EthicsResources/BER/ ).
http://www.sigcas.org/http://www.cse.nd.edu/~kwb/nsf-ufe/index.htmlhttp://www.cse.nd.edu/~kwb/nsf-ufe/index.htmlhttp://cpsr.org/http://ares.southernct.edu/organizations/rccs/http://onlineethics.org/http://ethics.iit.edu/http://www.indiana.edu/~appe/http://www2.ece.ohio-state.edu/~passino/IEEEProfEmployment.pdfhttp://www.todaysengineer.org/archives/te_archives/feb02/te1.asphttp://www.un.org/Overview/rights.htmlhttp://ethics.tamu.edu/http://www.niee.org/http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/BoardofEthicalReview/http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/EthicsResources/BER/http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/EthicsResources/BER/http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/EthicsResources/BER/http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/EthicsResources/BER/http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/EthicsResources/BER/http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/BoardofEthicalReview/http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/BoardofEthicalReview/http://www.niee.org/http://ethics.tamu.edu/http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.htmlhttp://www.todaysengineer.org/archives/te_archives/feb02/te1.asphttp://www2.ece.ohio-state.edu/~passino/IEEEProfEmployment.pdfhttp://www.indiana.edu/~appe/http://ethics.iit.edu/http://onlineethics.org/http://ares.southernct.edu/organizations/rccs/http://cpsr.org/http://www.cse.nd.edu/~kwb/nsf-ufe/index.htmlhttp://www.cse.nd.edu/~kwb/nsf-ufe/index.htmlhttp://www.cse.nd.edu/~kwb/nsf-ufe/index.htmlhttp://www.sigcas.org/


11/19

ACM Code of Ethics:

General Moral ImperativesAs an ACM member, I will:

1. Contribute to society and human well-being.

2. Avoid harm to others.

3. Be honest and trustworthy.

4. Be fair and take action not to discriminate.

5. Honor property rights including copyrights and patent.

6. Give proper credit for intellectual property.

7. Respect the privacy of others.

8. Honor confidentiality.


12/19

ACM Code of Ethics: More Specific

Professional ResponsibilitiesAs an ACM computing professional, I will:

1. Strive to achieve the highest quality, effectiveness and dignity in

both the process and products of professional work.

2. Acquire and maintain professional competence.

3. Know and respect existing laws pertaining to professional work.4. Accept and provide appropriate professional review.

5. Give comprehensive and thorough evaluations of computer

systems and their impacts, including analysis of possible risks.

6. Honor contracts, agreements, and assigned responsibilities.

7. Improve public understanding of computing an its consequences.

8. Access computing an communication resources only when

authorized to do so.


13/19

ACM Code of Ethics: Organizational

Leadership ImperativesAs an ACM member and an organizational leader, I will:

1. Articulate social responsibilities of members of an organizationalunit and encourage full acceptance of those responsibilities.

2. Manage personnel and resources to design and build informationsystems that enhance the quality of working life.

3. Acknowledge and support proper and authorized uses of anorganization's computing an communication resources.

4. Ensure that users and those who will be affected by a system havetheir needs clearly articulated during the assessment and designof requirements; later the system must be validated to meet

requirements.5. Articulate and support policies that protect the dignity of users

and others affected by a computing system.

6. Create opportunities for members of the organization to learn theprinciples and limitations of computer systems.


14/19

ACM Code of Ethics:

Compliance with the CodeAs an ACM member, I will:

1. Uphold and promote the principles of this Code.

2. Treat violations of this code as inconsistent with

membership in the ACM.


15/19

IEEE-CS/ACM Software

Engineering Code of EthicsSoftware engineers shall adhere to the following Eight

Principles:

1. PUBLIC Software engineers shall act consistently with the

public interest.

2. CLIENT AND EMPLOYER

Software engineers shall act in amanner 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. JUDGEMENT Software engineers shall maintain integrity

and independence in their professional judgement.


16/19

IEEE-CS/ACM Software

Engineering Code of Ethics5. 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 theintegrity 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


17/19

Conflict

Solving an ethical problem is similar to a design problem

Sometimes the correct answer to an ethical issue is not

obvious

Example: Inappropriate material is found by a

technician on a work computer

The technician has competing responsibilities

To keep the information seen confidential

To report a violation of the computer use policy Solution: technician should report what was seen, the

employee has no legal right to privacy on company

computer


18/19

Assignment 1

Due next class

Find 2 ethics case studies, preferably historical ones

that occurred within the last 10 years

In groups you will discuss one of the cases and

determine the ethical issues involved

Each group will present their findings to the class

Arguments welcome


19/19

Assignment 2

Due in 2 classes

Choose one of the case studies you found (you may not

use one that was discussed in class)

Briefly describe

What happened

The ethical issues

Any outcomes of lawsuits, board reviews, etc., if historical

Provide your own viewpoints on the case

Your essay must be 1-2 printed pages, single spaced. Besure to include references!!!

Come to class prepared to discuss your case

Post-Assessment Quiz

Documents

Computing Ethics Module