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

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

3. 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!

4. 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

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

6. Ethics Wikipedia definition
Wikipedia definition: Ethics or moral philosophy is a branch of philosophy that involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong conduct

7. Morals Wikipedia definition
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.

8. Laws Wikipedia definition
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.

9. Computer Ethics Wikipedia definition
Wikipedia definition: Computer ethics is a part of practical philosophy which concern with how computing professionals should make decisions regarding professional and social conduct.

10. 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!

11. 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

12. 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”

13. 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

14. 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

15. Ethics for the individual
Hierarchy
Self
Family
Higher power

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

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

18. Volunteer ethics Hierarchy Individual ethics, then add: Organization
Society

19. 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

20. 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).

21. 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?

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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!

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

26. Feedback request Please fill out evaluations
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27. Ethics, Morals, and Laws 101 – Pat Phelan
Pat is a Database Architect and Mentor at Involta, LLC.
QCPASS Chapter meeting
Davenport, IA
Twitter:
@YetAnotherSQL