PROFESSIONAL ETHICS Calvin Gotlieb, Professor Emeritus, Department of Computer Science University of Toronto York University October 18, 2006

2 York, October 18, 2006 Professional Ethics ETHICS Webster “The branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to human conduct with respect to rightness and wrongness of actions and the goodness and badness of motives and ends” In considering professional ethics it is necessary to put these in context with different ethical theories proposed through the centuries, in many countries, by religious leaders and moral philosophers Reference: Michael J. Quinn “Ethics for the Information Age” Pearson Education, 2 nd ed Pearson Education, 2 nd ed. 2006

3 York, October 18, 2006 Professional Ethics Ethical Theories Descriptive ethics---as practiced Descriptive ethics---as practiced Normative ethics-from the writings of philosophers and religious leaders Normative ethics-from the writings of philosophers and religious leaders Assumption Assumption Will accept theories based on logic/reason Will accept theories based on logic/reason (as opposed to, say, belief or practice) (as opposed to, say, belief or practice)

4 York, October 18, 2006 Professional Ethics SUBJECTIVE/CULTURAL RELATIVSIM Negative claim There are no universal norms There are no universal norms Positive claim Right and wrong are relative to the individual and society Right and wrong are relative to the individual and societyProblems Accepts intolerance, slavery, apartheid, torture, where these are societal norms Accepts intolerance, slavery, apartheid, torture, where these are societal norms Negates idea of moral progress Negates idea of moral progress Relativism view in itself is a universal claim Relativism view in itself is a universal claim

5 York, October 18, 2006 Professional Ethics DIVINE COMMAND THEORY Good actions are those aligned with the will of God God’s will is revealed in the “holy book” handed down through his messenger Problems?

6 York, October 18, 2006 Professional Ethics CONSEQUENTIALISM ( ACT) UTILITARIANSIM Jeremy Bentham John Stuart Mills Jeremy Bentham John Stuart Mills What makes acts right or wrong depends wholly on the consequences Consequences are difficult to predict So-- Act so as to achieve the “greatest good for the greatest number” Act so as to achieve the “greatest good for the greatest number”Problems Leads to a “calculus of values” But can values be quantified? Leads to a “calculus of values” But can values be quantified? Should we kill one person to get many body parts? Should we kill one person to get many body parts?

7 York, October 18, 2006 Professional Ethics DEONTOLOGICAL THEORIES Immanuel Kant Immanuel Kant The only unambiguous good thing is the will to do good There are absolutely, inherently right rules Rationality—Man is unique in ability to reason Therefore rules are good if they follow from logic Therefore rules are good if they follow from logic Categorical Imperative Rules are good if they apply to everyone (Universality) Rules are good if they apply to everyone (Universality) E.g. Do no harm (-) Golden rule (+) E.g. Do no harm (-) Golden rule (+) Never treat human beings as means to an end, but rather as ends in themselves Never treat human beings as means to an end, but rather as ends in themselves Leads to idea of “human rights”---privacy, intellectual property rights Are there universal rights?—e.g. life, liberty, pursuit of happiness Are there universal rights?—e.g. life, liberty, pursuit of happinessProblems How to adjudicate between conflicting rights?—privacy and free speech Does absolute right imply existence of absolute evil?

8 York, October 18, 2006 Professional Ethics SOCIAL CONTRACT THEORY Thomas Hobbes Jean-Jacques Rousseau Thomas Hobbes Jean-Jacques Rousseau There is a “social contract” between individuals and society where everyone gains (is not hurt) everyone gains (is not hurt) This leads to legal contract i.e. Laws Hence the connection between laws,ethics, morality Hence the connection between laws,ethics, morality Laws about driving (on the left or right) or protecting intellectual Property may not be inherently moral but they prevent harm and promote good Social Contract theory recognizes the harm resulting form the concentration of wealth and power

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12 York, October 18, 2006 Professional Ethics Ethical Codes for Professions Requirements for Codes to be Effective A Code has to formulated and promulgated A Code has to formulated and promulgated A transparent process has to be in place to judge cases A transparent process has to be in place to judge cases where there has been a possible transgression of the code where there has been a possible transgression of the code A support system has to be known to aid persons who A support system has to be known to aid persons who are willing to be whistleblowers on witnessing what they are willing to be whistleblowers on witnessing what they believe is a serious infraction of the code believe is a serious infraction of the code