CS 3043 Social Implications Of Computing 12/13/2015© 2009 Keith A. Pray 1 Class 2 Ethics And Professions Keith A. Pray Instructor socialimps.keithpray.net

CS 3043 Social Implications Of Computing © 2009 Keith A. Pray 2 12/13/2015 Overview 1. Critical Thinking 2. Imaginary Societies 3. Ethics 4. Professions 5. Assignment

CS 3043 Social Implications Of Computing © 2009 Keith A. Pray 3 12/13/2015 More Critical Thinking Be conscious of word choices. Beware of conflating.

CS 3043 Social Implications Of Computing © 2009 Keith A. Pray 4 12/13/2015 Utopias and Dystopias Types:  Economic  Political  Technological What makes it a utopia or dystopia? Why do we create them? Examples, real or fictional?

CS 3043 Social Implications Of Computing © 2009 Keith A. Pray 5 12/13/2015 Class Discussion Where do different people get their ethical principles? What are some of these principles?  Various levels. Things that are right and wrong. Ways to decide if something is right or wrong.

CS 3043 Social Implications Of Computing © 2009 Keith A. Pray 6 12/13/2015 Why? Why does society care about ethics? Why do individuals care about ethics? Is it just following your conscience? Is it just a matter of personal choice?  Conflicts in two directions.

CS 3043 Social Implications Of Computing © 2009 Keith A. Pray 7 12/13/2015 Ethical Views Deontological Theories  A.k.a. nonconsequentialist Consequentialist Theories Social Contract Theory  Establishment of a set of moral rules to govern relations among citizens  Government capable of enforcing the rules

CS 3043 Social Implications Of Computing © 2009 Keith A. Pray 8 12/13/2015 Professions Examples? Compensation Qualifications -Skills, Education Autonomy, clients, and mobility Associations  Standards  Licensing  Code of Ethics – Why?  Self Regulation

CS 3043 Social Implications Of Computing © 2009 Keith A. Pray 9 12/13/2015 Assignment Read Appendix A One page paper which answers: Does the Software Engineering Code of Ethics support whistle blowing? Please cite specific clauses of the Code you include in your arguments. Individual portion of Group Project:  Review four other groups’ time lines and add the one item you believe is most significant to information processing to the time line Wiki on myWPI that is not already present. State in the Wiki why you believe it is important.  If all items from all groups that you believe belong on the time line are already added find another information processing technology point to add that is relevant to another group’s time line.

CS 3043 Social Implications Of Computing 12/13/2015© 2009 Keith A. Pray 10 Class 2 The End Keith A. Pray Instructor socialimps.keithpray.net

CS 3043 Social Implications Of Computing © 2009 Keith A. Pray 11 12/13/2015 Rights Where do they come from? What are they?  “Life, liberty, and property” – Locke.  “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” – Jefferson.  Others?

CS 3043 Social Implications Of Computing © 2009 Keith A. Pray 12 12/13/2015 Rights How does one acquire a specific right?  E.g. ownership?

CS 3043 Social Implications Of Computing © 2009 Keith A. Pray 13 12/13/2015 Distinctions Actions: Right, wrong, OK. Types of rights  Negative (liberties)  Positive (claim-rights) Harm vs. wrong  “No harm, no foul”?

CS 3043 Social Implications Of Computing © 2009 Keith A. Pray 14 12/13/2015 Ethics What is it?  ‘Do the right thing.’ Based on belief that people:  Are rational  Make free choices

CS 3043 Social Implications Of Computing © 2009 Keith A. Pray 15 12/13/2015 Deontological Theories Kant  Principle of universality A.k.a. categorical imperative.  Base ethics on rationality, not emotion.  Treat people as ends, not means.

CS 3043 Social Implications Of Computing © 2009 Keith A. Pray 16 12/13/2015 Consequentialist Theories Ethics based on consequences of actions or inactions. John Stuart Mills’ utilitarianism. “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.”  --Mr. Spock, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

CS 3043 Social Implications Of Computing © 2009 Keith A. Pray 17 12/13/2015 Can Theories Go Too Far? Hurting self or others. Trampling on rights.

CS 3043 Social Implications Of Computing © 2009 Keith A. Pray 18 12/13/2015 Law and Ethics Are laws based on ethics? Are all laws ethical?

CS 3043 Social Implications Of Computing © 2009 Keith A. Pray 19 12/13/2015 Ethics vs. Law Not liking a law doesn’t give you the right to disregard it. Unfairness is not necessarily unethical. “Consent of the governed”

CS 3043 Social Implications Of Computing © 2009 Keith A. Pray 20 12/13/2015 Professional Ethics Why?