Ethics, Morals, and Laws 101 for the DBA A primer for behavior targeted for the DBA / Data Professional Pat Phelan

Evolving content warning: This content is still evolving as of 2017-03-15 Points and sections may be added or modified New content is constantly being developed.

What this presentation covers: Definitions Limitations Practical use and problems Note: I am not an expert on Ethics, although I do have extensive experience with ethics problems. I’m willing to offer my opinions and insights, but those may not be appropriate for your problems!

Wikipedia as a source Many human languages, not just English. Wikipedia is often the first reference site to document new words/concepts/ideas by months or years Collaboration Wikipedia is NOT suitable for academic use!!! No formal peer-review Not acceptable as a citation These constraints don’t matter for this presentation

What inspired this presentation DBA questions Personal interest Help start new DBAs

Ethics Wikipedia definition https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethics Wikipedia definition: Ethics or moral philosophy is a branch of philosophy that involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong conduct

Morals Wikipedia definition https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morality Wikipedia definition: Morality (from the Latin moralis "manner, character, proper behavior") is the differentiation of intentions, decisions, and actions between those that are distinguished as proper and those that are improper.

Laws Wikipedia definition https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law Wikipedia definition: Law is a system of rules that are created and enforced through social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior.[2] Law as a system helps regulate and ensure that a community show respect, and equality amongst themselves.

Computer Ethics Wikipedia definition https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_ethics Wikipedia definition: Computer ethics is a part of practical philosophy which concern with how computing professionals should make decisions regarding professional and social conduct.

HK? * Morals are important to clients and society Ethics are important to workers Laws are important to business/community/law enforcement * with kudos and credit to Liggy!

Changes to Ethics, Morals, and Laws Ethics change based on what seems right/wrong Example: new information Morals change based on what seems proper Example: changing culture Laws change based on the law makers Example: after an election or revolution

Ethics discussion Ethical choices aren’t binary. Degree of benefit/harm determines ethical value. Some problems only have solutions that include harm (firefighters, hospitals) How to weigh different kinds of harm (physical, social, economic) Must consider all possibilities Must consider “edge cases”

Morals change based on society and the concept of what is proper. Morals always change over time. The US today versus last year have different ideas of what is proper The US today versus 1776 have different ideas of what is proper Morals change based on society The United States and China have different ideas of what is proper Different cultures within a country have different ideas of what is proper

Laws discussion Laws have no formal relationship to ethics Laws have no formal relationship to morals Laws can be arbitrary Laws often have “unintended consequences” Laws usually deal well with history Laws don’t always accommodate changes in society

Ethics for the individual Hierarchy Self Family Higher power

Ethics for the direct employee Hierarchy Individual ethics, then add: Employer

Ethics for the consultant Hierarchy Individual ethics, then add: Customer Employer

Volunteer ethics Hierarchy Individual ethics, then add: Organization Society

Who owns code – Legally Legally determined by explicit or implicit contract Explicit contract may or may not override implicit contract Explicit contract is a document between an individual and another entity (either a person or a legally recognized group like a company). Implicit contract may be defined by jurisdiction, and in some cases either part or all of it may take precedence over explicit contracts. Trade Secrets

Who owns code – Morally Morally determined by society Society may be a company Society may be a nation Society may be the world (some open source projects use this model).

Who owns code – Ethically What has been agreed to by parties involved? What is in the best interest of the parties involved? What is in the best interest of the world?

Who owns data Person the data describes Client Company/Organization Who owns what in a hosted environment? Company/Organization HIPPA/etc. Other Example: EU Right to be forgotten

Take aways: Depends on… Ethics depend on what is right or wrong Morals depend on what is proper Laws depend on whims of law makers

Take aways: Talk to mentors or trusted peers Ethical issues require discussion/defense A trusted person can add new perspective Few problems are hard once you’ve solved them!

I really appreciate your time and attention. Thanks! I really appreciate your time and attention.

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Ethics, Morals, and Laws 101 – Pat Phelan Pat is a Database Architect and Mentor at Involta, LLC. QCPASS Chapter meeting Davenport, IA 2017-03-15 Email: Pat@YetAnotherSQL.com Twitter: @YetAnotherSQL