1. How we make ethical decisions
Ethical Theory
How we make ethical decisions

2. Why does this topic matter?
“No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. ...never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”
John Donne, Meditation XVII
School of Information Technology
Semester 2

3. Why do we need to be concerned about ethics?
software piracy
hacking
viruses and malicious intent
Internet pornography
Internet crime
intellectual property rights
company ownership vs personal knowledge
Etc, etc
School of Information Technology
Semester 2

4. What do we mean by “Ethics”?
The term “Ethics” comes from the Greek word
“eqos” or “ethos”
“An inner dwelling place”
“Custom”
“That which is common or usual”
It can also mean
“The instituted order”
School of Information Technology
Semester 2

5. Ethics - definitions
“A system of moral thinking that provides the basis for all decision making involving issues of “Good and Bad” or “Right and Wrong”.
“The practice of making principled choices”
“The practice of making defensible choices”
School of Information Technology
Semester 2

6. What is “ethics”?
Ethics is about making choices involving issues of right and wrong, good and bad
Typically ethical decisions involve choices between:-
Right and wrong
Right and right
Wrong and wrong
School of Information Technology
Semester 2

7. Difficulty is knowing what is ethical.
Consider – what beliefs have changed over time?
Class discussion
What determines “good” and “bad’?
God and ten commandments?
Conscience and intuition?
Greatest good for greatest number?
Most reasonable thing to do at this particular time?
Full and perfect life?
Absolute right thing to do?
Are people endowed with a natural desire to do good?
School of Information Technology
Semester 2

8. How do we “know” what is right and what is wrong?
Associations
Family
Peer group
Community
Written word
Laws
Moral conventions
Moral philosophy
Religious teaching
Professional codes of conduct
School of Information Technology
Semester 2

9. How do we “know” what is right and what is wrong?
Self Concept
Who and what we believe ourselves to be – choose bahaviour that is consistent to our self view
Consider which of the above categories have impacted on your ethical decision making.
Class Discussion
School of Information Technology
Semester 2

10. Values Received From Family and Community
Examples of
Common Moral Values
Values Received From Family and Community
Do good to others
Do no harm (either intentional or unintentional)
Put others ahead of one’s self
Respect for elders
Take consequences seriously
School of Information Technology
Semester 2

11. Values Received From Family and Community
Loyalty
 Integrity
 Consistency
 Commitment
 Truth telling
Forgiveness
 Honour
 Duty
School of Information Technology
Semester 2

12. Informal Ethical Tests – used most days
The “Mum” test
The “TV” test
The “Market” test
The “Smell” test
The “Shush” test
The “Other Person’s Shoes” test
Shame Or
Guilt?
What do you think these mean?
Imagine how you would feel if the roles were reversed
School of Information Technology
Semester 2