1 Ethics The study of morality, that is, how do we tell the difference between a good action and a bad action; or how do we tell the difference between a good action and a bad action; or how do we do decide what is the right action in particular circumstances; how do we do decide what is the right action in particular circumstances; etc. etc.

2 Rule-based ethics There is a small set of very specific rules that, it is claimed,can be applied to cover any situation. The ten commandments “Love the Lord thy God with all they heart and strength, and thy neighbour as thyself.”

3 Consequentialism It’s not the actions themselves that matter but their consequences. To apply this, we need a way of judging the consequences. “That action is best, which produces the greatest good for the greatest number.”

4 The great debates rule-based v. consequentialism; rule-based v. consequentialism; absolutism v. relativism; absolutism v. relativism; where does duty come in? where does duty come in? human rights; human rights; in what sense can states, companies and other organisations be held morally responsible? in what sense can states, companies and other organisations be held morally responsible? how does the moral responsibility of the individual relate to the collective? how does the moral responsibility of the individual relate to the collective?

5 Professional codes of conduct rule-based but with some aspects of consequentialism; rule-based but with some aspects of consequentialism; generally seen as specific to a country and profession; generally seen as specific to a country and profession; address particularly the malpractices to which members of the profession are especially subject; address particularly the malpractices to which members of the profession are especially subject; may be aspirational or operational; may be aspirational or operational; not the same thing as codes of practice. not the same thing as codes of practice.

6 BCS Code of Conduct The Public Interest 1. Safeguard public health, safety and the environment. 2. Respect the rights of others. 3. Understand and comply with legislation, regulations and standards. 4. Respect human rights.

7 Duty to Employers and Clients 5. Work with care and diligence and, if your professional judgement is overruled, indicate the likely consequences. 6. Try to complete work on time and within budget and warn immediately any overrun is foreseen. 7. Don’t accept or offer commissions or bribes. 8. Don’t disclose confidential information.

8 Duty to Employers and Clients (2) 9. Try to avoid becoming party to activities that conflict with 1 to Don’t pretend your products or services can do things they can’t. 11. When acting as an independent consultant, don’t handle clients’ money or place orders without authority. 12. Don’t claim to be independent when you’re not.

9 Duty to the Profession 13. Uphold the reputation of the profession. 14. Try to advance public understanding of computing. 15. Encourage the professional development of others, particularly those new to the profession. 16. Act with integrity towards other professionals. 17. Don’t make public statements unless qualified (and, where relevant, authorised) to do so.

10 Professional Competence and Integrity 18. Keep your knowledge up to date. 19. Follow good practice. 20. Don’t claim to be competent when you’re not. 21. Take responsibility for your work and that of your subordinates and don’t terminate an assignment except for good reason and on reasonable notice. 22. Try to avoid conflicts of interest and disclose them immediately if they are unavoidable.

11 IEEE-CS/ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Practice (version 5.1) ( prof/code.htm) prof/code.htmhttp:// prof/code.htm

12 IEEE-CS/ACM general precepts 1. Act in ways consistent with the public interest. 2. Best interests of client and employer, consistent with the public interest. 3. Ensure products meet highest professional standards. 4. Maintain integrity and independence of professional judgement. 5. Adopt an ethical approach to management. 6. Advance the interests of the profession. 7. Be fair and supportive to colleagues. 8. Keep your knowledge up to date.

13 IEEE-CS/ACM howlers “[Software engineers shall] not promote their own interest at the expense of the profession, client or employer.” “[Software engineers shall] not promote their own interest at the expense of the profession, client or employer.” “[Software engineers shall] not give unfair treatment to anyone because of any irrelevant prejudice.” “[Software engineers shall] not give unfair treatment to anyone because of any irrelevant prejudice.”