Chapter 1 Cybertechnology, Ethical Concepts, and Methodological Frameworks: An Introduction to Cyberethics Introduction Cybertechnology, Ethical Concepts, and Methodological Frameworks: An Introduction to Cyberethics Introduction

Terms Ethics: The practice of making a principled choice between right and wrong Ethical principles: ideas of behavior that are commonly acceptable to society Computer ethics: one author (introductory lectures) says that these are no different than regular ethics – we have ethical situations in which computers are involved Ethics: The practice of making a principled choice between right and wrong Ethical principles: ideas of behavior that are commonly acceptable to society Computer ethics: one author (introductory lectures) says that these are no different than regular ethics – we have ethical situations in which computers are involved

Terms(2) Cyberethics: the field of applied ethics that examines moral, legal, and social issues in the development and use of cybertechnology Cybertechnology: a broad spectrum of technologies that range from stand- alone computers to the cluster of networked computing, informaiton, and communication technologies Cyberethics: the field of applied ethics that examines moral, legal, and social issues in the development and use of cybertechnology Cybertechnology: a broad spectrum of technologies that range from stand- alone computers to the cluster of networked computing, informaiton, and communication technologies

Terms (3) Computer ethics: might suggest study of ethical issues associated primarily with computing machines or the computing profession (I may still slip and use this term occasionally) Cyberethics better captures broad range of ethical issues Other authors have referred to this field of study as Internet ethics or information ethics but again, these are either to broad or not specific enough Computer ethics: might suggest study of ethical issues associated primarily with computing machines or the computing profession (I may still slip and use this term occasionally) Cyberethics better captures broad range of ethical issues Other authors have referred to this field of study as Internet ethics or information ethics but again, these are either to broad or not specific enough

Computer Ethics/Cyberethics Evolution First three readings in text are by three pioneers in the field: Terrell Bynum, Deborah Johnson, and James Moor. –We’ll cover the article by Bynum and Moor –Bynum’s describes the development of the field from the 40’s and 50’s to the present time First three readings in text are by three pioneers in the field: Terrell Bynum, Deborah Johnson, and James Moor. –We’ll cover the article by Bynum and Moor –Bynum’s describes the development of the field from the 40’s and 50’s to the present time

Ethics and Cyberethics (Same or Different) Has cybertechnology introduced any new moral issues? This question is still debated in cyberethics literature Some believe that essentially there is nothing new or special about ethical issues associated with computers and cybyertechnology –Crime is crime, privacy violations are privacy violations Has cybertechnology introduced any new moral issues? This question is still debated in cyberethics literature Some believe that essentially there is nothing new or special about ethical issues associated with computers and cybyertechnology –Crime is crime, privacy violations are privacy violations

Same or Different (2) Others believe computers have generated unique ethical issues that would not exist without cybertechnology Some situations are completely unique and have no non-computer parallel Counting errors, arithmetic overflow that causes computer systems to crash Others believe computers have generated unique ethical issues that would not exist without cybertechnology Some situations are completely unique and have no non-computer parallel Counting errors, arithmetic overflow that causes computer systems to crash

Some “Moor” In Moor’s article we learn that computers are “logically malleable” They can be molded to many tasks Unlike your refrigerator or microwave Just change the SW program These capabilities can generate voids or vacuums in laws and social policies Vacuums in our conceptual frameworks – ability to understand and discuss obscure issues that emerge due to technology – “conceptual muddles” In Moor’s article we learn that computers are “logically malleable” They can be molded to many tasks Unlike your refrigerator or microwave Just change the SW program These capabilities can generate voids or vacuums in laws and social policies Vacuums in our conceptual frameworks – ability to understand and discuss obscure issues that emerge due to technology – “conceptual muddles”

More from “Moor” An adequate computer ethics methodology consists of four steps: –Identify any policy vacuums that arise; –Clarify any conceptual muddles that also arise –Revise existing social policies or, if necessary, formulate new policies; and –Justify the revised or the newly formulated social policies An adequate computer ethics methodology consists of four steps: –Identify any policy vacuums that arise; –Clarify any conceptual muddles that also arise –Revise existing social policies or, if necessary, formulate new policies; and –Justify the revised or the newly formulated social policies

Moor’s Suggestion In later work, he argues that a separate field of computer ethics is needed because ordinary ethics (routine ethics) cannot sufficiently deal with many of the ethical issues generated by computing technology Many philosophers working in computer ethics consider this approach the standard methodology In later work, he argues that a separate field of computer ethics is needed because ordinary ethics (routine ethics) cannot sufficiently deal with many of the ethical issues generated by computing technology Many philosophers working in computer ethics consider this approach the standard methodology

Ethical Theory Ethical theories based on criteria of consequences or duty generally receive the most attention in the philosophical literature Utiliarianism – a form of consequentialist ethical theory, generally utilitarians are interested in advancing only those social policies that produce the greatest good (social utility) for the greatest number of individuals Ethical theories based on criteria of consequences or duty generally receive the most attention in the philosophical literature Utiliarianism – a form of consequentialist ethical theory, generally utilitarians are interested in advancing only those social policies that produce the greatest good (social utility) for the greatest number of individuals

Ethical Theory (2) Deontological (duty based) ethical theories reject the view that consequences can be used as an appropriate criterion They point out a policy may yield desirable consequences for the greatest number of people and still be a morally unacceptable policy For Deontologists, a policy is morally acceptable only if everyone affected by that policy is respected as an individual and is given equal consideration Shouldn’t have majority of individuals affected favorably at the expense of the minority Deontologists argue that we have a moral duty to ensure that each individual is treated accordingly Deontological (duty based) ethical theories reject the view that consequences can be used as an appropriate criterion They point out a policy may yield desirable consequences for the greatest number of people and still be a morally unacceptable policy For Deontologists, a policy is morally acceptable only if everyone affected by that policy is respected as an individual and is given equal consideration Shouldn’t have majority of individuals affected favorably at the expense of the minority Deontologists argue that we have a moral duty to ensure that each individual is treated accordingly

Criticisms Utilitarian critics argue that because utilitarians are so preoccupied w/ promoting happiness for the majority they ignore the importance of justice and fairness for each individual Deontologists often accused of ignoring the importance of happiness and overall social utility, because they focus exclusively on the primacy of notions such as duty, autonomy, rights, and respect for each individual. Philosophers have had a hard time synthesizing these theories in a way that is both coherent and consistent Utilitarian critics argue that because utilitarians are so preoccupied w/ promoting happiness for the majority they ignore the importance of justice and fairness for each individual Deontologists often accused of ignoring the importance of happiness and overall social utility, because they focus exclusively on the primacy of notions such as duty, autonomy, rights, and respect for each individual. Philosophers have had a hard time synthesizing these theories in a way that is both coherent and consistent