Professional Context of ICT INFO3020 Lecture 1

Introduction l Structure and delivery of the module l Assessment l Resources l Why do this module? l Influences on an individual l Philosophical analysis l Ethical theories

Structure and delivery l Five contexts are considered: –Corporate –Commercial –Legal –People –Societal

Structure and delivery l 2 Lectures per week l 1 Tutorial per week l Students will be expected to purchase the set book: –Ayres Robert, “The essence of professional issues in computing”, Prentice Hall, 1999, ISBN l Students will be expected to have undertaken a wide range of reading

Resources l WWW l Library books l Magazines & journals l NO HANDOUTS ISSUED l Some key documents will be available electronically

Assessment l 2 hour examination (70%) –The unseen examination comprises five multi-part questions. The aim is to assess the student's level of understanding of the concepts of the five contexts. l Coursework Assignment (30%) –Production of a collaborative report on an ethical dilemma –Preparation of a presentation based on the topic addressed in the collaborative project.

Why do this module? l Computer Science –objective, quantifying approach using scientific methods –clearly defined set of knowledge that is not itself susceptible to individual opinion –encourages view that the wider world is likely to operate in a similar way - problems can be precisely defined and there is usually one answer

Why do this module? l Long history of ethics - still no universally accepted sets of moral rules for a scientist to study –subject is NOT scientific l But –the work of the Computer Scientist can have wide ranging effects –act of living in the world brings responsibilities

Why do this module? l If individuals are unaware of consequences of their actions their responsibilities do not vanish l Ethics allows (insists) upon the introduction of individual human opinions and beliefs –encourages consideration of wider issues involved in professional judgements –provides support for individuals

Why do this module? l Benefits to you: –Trust an individual known to operate under a consistent code of personal ethics is one who can be relied upon –Security being aware of implications guards against unexpected outcomes! –Comfort peace of mind

Why do this module? l Developing personal concepts –As an individual you already possess a set of controlling opinions together with their related internal rules Plus –Unconscious beliefs

Influences on an individual l (Formal/Informal): –Colleagues –Family/friends –Leisure activities –Workplace –Society –Industry/profession –Society

Influences on an individual l To accept unquestioningly the opinions of others can never allow construction of a valid set of personal ethical values l Need to spend time analysing and identifying what you are confident are your genuine personal beliefs

Philosophical analysis l Ongoing process - variety of activities: –formulation of an argument –critical examination of the argument –reformulation of the argument –critical examination of new argument –examination of counter arguments l Dialectic process - moves back and forth –cases to principles to theory from intuition to reasons

Ethical theories l Ethical theories are –NORMATIVE l aim to provide the basis for saying that it is wrong for someone to behave in a certain way

Questions to be addressed and answered l What makes acts right? l To whom is moral duty owed? l What kinds of acts are right? l How do rules apply to a specific situation? l What ought to be done in specific cases?