Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering Professional Ethics Lorraine Staehr Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering La Trobe University

Outline Is there a need for professional ethics? Are computer professionals “professionals”? Professional relationships Professional codes of ethics The law and ethics Psychological components of moral behaviour Guidelines for recognizing an ethical dilemma

Introduction Is there a need for professional ethics? Professional roles sometimes have special rights and responsibilities "Efficacy" of professionals - power to affect the social and physical environment

Are Computer Professionals “Professionals”? Characteristics associated with professions: Require mastery of a body of knowledge, usually acquired through higher education. Typically have a good deal of autonomy in their work.

Are Computer Professionals “Professionals”? Characteristics associated with professions: A professional organisation controls admission to the profession and sets standards for practice. Professions fulfil an important social function or are committed to a social good.

Professional Relationships Employer-Employee The Law Report 8 January 2002: Employment law, intellectual property and the new economy http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/lawrpt/stories/s295800.htm APESMA (www.apesma.asn.au) Client-Professional Agency Paternalism Fiduciary

Professional Relationships Example 1 An IT professional involves the client in the design of the new system, gives several options on the security features of the system and the client chooses the least secure system because the system is going to cost more than the client planned. Due to the sensitive nature of the data stored in the system a more secure option is warranted. Example 2 An IT consultant has taken on the job of evaluating software proposals for a small hospital. He carefully evaluates each of the three proposals and chooses what he thinks is the best product. However the IT professional is a co-owner in the software company that sells this product.

Professional Relationships Society-Professional A social contract with society Professional-Professional Adherence to standards of conduct that will enhance the reputation of the profession

Conflicting Responsibilities Issues of professional ethics often arise from conflicts between responsibilities to different parties

Professional Codes of Ethics IEEE Code of Ethics http://www.ieee.org/portal/pages/iportals/aboutus/ethics/code.html IEEE-CS/ACM Software Engineering Code Of Ethics And Professional Practice http://www.acm.org/about/se-code ACS Code of Ethics http://www.acs.org.au/index.cfm?action=show&conID=coe

Professional Codes of Ethics What is the aim of codes of conduct? Who are they written for? The Public Members of the profession

What a Code of Ethics is Not Not laws Not complete ethical frameworks or algorithms Not exhaustive checklists

Law and Ethics Actions may be classified as Ethical and legal Ethical but not legal Not ethical but legal Not ethical and not legal

Psychological Components of Moral Behaviour (Rest, 1994) Moral sensitivity Moral judgment Moral motivation Moral character

Informal Guidelines for Recognizing an Ethical Dilemma Is there something you or others would prefer to keep quiet? The Mum test The TV test The Market test Does your instinct tell you that something is wrong?

Formal Guidelines for Recognizing an Ethical Dilemma Does the act violate corporate policy? Does the act violate corporate or professional codes of conduct or ethics Does the act violate the Golden Rule?

Psychological Components of Moral Behaviour (Rest, 1994) Moral sensitivity – recognizing a moral dilemma exists Moral judgment – have the ability to make a morally justifiable decision Moral motivation – place moral values above other values Moral character – strength of character to act

References Bynum, T.W. and Rogerson, S. (2004) Computer Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Malden, MA: Blackwell. Johnson, D. G. (1994) Computer Ethics, 2nd Ed., Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall. Kallman, E.A. and Grillo, J.P. (1996) Ethical Decision Making and Information Technology, 2nd. Ed., Singapore: McGraw-Hill. Reynolds, G. (2003) Ethics in Information Technology, Boston: Thompson. Rest, J. (1994). Background: Theory and Research. In Rest, J. and Narvaez, D. (Eds.) Moral Development in the Professions: Psychology and Applied Ethics, (pp. 1-26). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.