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Introduction
to Computer
Ethics
Computer ethics defined (1)
• The ethical questions that arise as a
consequence of the development and
deployment of computing technologies.
This involves:
– clarifying the issues & problems
– developing a framework for their resolution
Johnson & Nissenbaum
Computer ethics defined (2)
• The analysis of the nature and social impact
of computer technology and the
corresponding formulation and justification
of policies for the ethical use of such
technology
James Moor
Computer ethics defined (3)
• Computer ethics examines the impact of
computers on our social, legal, and moral
systems …
Tavani
Evolution of computer ethics issues
Phase
Time Period
Technological Features
Associated Issues
1
1950s-1960s
Stand-alone machines (large
mainframe computers)
Artificial intelligence (AI),
database privacy ("Big Brother")
2
1970s-1980s
Minicomputers and PCs
interconnected via privately owned
networks
Issues from Phase 1 plus concerns
involving intellectual property and
software piracy, computer crime,
privacy and the exchange of
records.
3
1990s-Present
Internet and World Wide Web
Issues from Phases 1 and 2 plus
concerns about free speech,
anonymity, legal jurisdiction,
virtual communities, etc.
4
Present to
Near Future
Convergence of information and
communication technologies with
nanotechnology research and genetic
and genomic research, etc.
Issues from Phases 1-3 plus
concerns about artificial electronic
agents ("bots") with decisionmaking capabilities, bionic chip
implants, nanocomputing research,
etc.
Is computer ethics different from
other kinds of ethics?
• I.e., is an entirely new kind of ethics required
in order to deal with the ethical questions
that arise from widespread computer use?
• Let’s distinguish between the uniqueness of
the technology & the uniqueness of the
ethical issues.
– Even though there is a relationship
• Powerful technologies have profound social
consequences.
The uniqueness of the computer
• It plays a defining role in the world
• It has expanded capabilities
– And provides expanded possibilities
• It has created new entities
• The scale of computer-dependent activities
is greater than ever because of its:
–
–
–
–
Speed
Scope
Ability to store & manipulate large amounts of data
Ability to perform complex calculations
The uniqueness of computer ethics?
• Consider some examples of the impact of
this unique technology:
–
–
–
–
Privacy issues
Intellectual property issues
Workplace issues
Effects of malfunctions
Some say “yes”, others say “no”
• All agree that it’s important to study computer
ethics, but with varying perspectives
– Maner: yes
• There are brand new ethical issues before us that didn’t exist
before the advent of computing.
– Johnson: no
• The ethical problems that arise are not new, but are new
species of old problems.
– Moor: yes & no
• Ethical problems arising from situations in which computers
are essentially involved are unique.
– Barlow: yes
• Views cyberspace as a newly discovered continent.
Deborah Johnson
New species have special features and…if
we simply treat them as the same as other
familiar cases we may fail to recognize
how the new features change the situation
in morally significant ways.
James Moor
The logical malleability & informational
enrichment capabilities of computers give
rise to policy vacuums caused by
conceptual muddles.
Computer ethics as a field of
professional ethics
• Most professions promote standards for
acceptable behavior. What special
responsibilities do computer professionals
have?
Computer ethics as a field of
philosophical ethics
• Johnson
– New species of old problems
• Moor
– Filling ethical policy vacuums
• Brey
– Disclosive ethics
A first stab at analyzing a
computer ethics situation
• Who are the stakeholders?
• What are the technology aspects that give
rise to significant ethical issues?
• Formulate an analogy that enables you to
highlight & clarify the significant issues
• Draw a conclusion.
Identifying stakeholders
• The social context and social impact of a
specific instance of computer usage are best
understood when we can identify the
stakeholders - those individuals and groups
whose lives will be most affected.
– What relationships do these people have to each
other? to the technology?
– How are various aspects of their lives affected
by this use of technology?
Analogies
• Reasoning by analogy involves the use of
familiar situations to understand ethical
issues involving computers.
• They are useful in teasing out the
similarities as well as the differences.
• They must be fully developed to be useful.