ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN o How a student reviews for an
COMPUTING examination
o The way a chef cooks food
Chapter 1: Common Ethical Theories
The Drawback of Subjective Relativism
What is ETHICS? If morality means doing whatever you want to do,
• Also known as Moral Philosophy it doesn’t mean much, if it means anything at all.
• A branch of philosophy that involves
systematizing, defending and CULTURAL RELATIVISM
recommending concepts of right and wrong - is the ethical theory that the meaning of
conduct. “right” and “wrong” rests with a society’s
• The term ‘ethics’ broadly describes the way actual moral guidelines.
in which we look at and understand life, in Ethics is based from the “culture” of the
terms of good and bad or right and wrong. environment.
• ethics studies the moral behavior in an example...
humans and how one should act in a certain When Pres. Aquino’s running mate, former
circumstances. Sen. Roxas, lost to Vice Mayor Jejomar
Binay in the Vice Presidential race, he
• The term comes from the Greek
(Roxas) was said to be appointed to some
word ethos, which means "character"
government position by Pres. Aquino. It has
been a culture in Philippine politics that a
COMMON ETHICAL THEORIES losing candidate, after a year, is appointed
• RELATIVISM by his winning party mate.
• DIVINE COMMAND THEORY
• ETHICAL EGOISM in truth...
• CONSEQUENTIALISM Mr. Mar Roxas is appointed as the secretary
• KANTIANISM of the Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG) by Pres. Aquino.
RELATIVISM
- is the theory that there are no universal an example...
moral norm of right and wrong. For instance, suppose you are riding in a car
- According to this theory different driven by your BFF. He hits a pedestrian in a
individuals or groups of people can have private subdivision during 12 noon. You
completely know he was going at least 35 km per hour
- opposite views of a moral problem, and in an area of the place where the maximum
both can be right. Two allowable speed is 20 km per hour. There is
- particular kinds of relativism are no witness other than you. His lawyer say
subjective relativism and culture that if you testify under oath that he was
relativism. driving 20 miles per hour, you will save him
from serious consequences.
SUBJECTIVE RELATIVISM
- “What’s right for you may not be right for analogy...
me.” it is “customary” for a person to testify in
- Own opinions of people. favor of his friend.
o RH Bill
o Teaching methodologies of
teachers/professors
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THE F2 EPIDEMIC... consider these situations...
The culture during that time and at the - If there is only one bread for a mother and
present time is that, when someone her child, the mother may deprive herself of
(student) was able to code his program the bread and allows her child to consume
correctly and such student failed to share the bread;
his code, the entire class will severely - The father will always work overtime just to
condemn him for being selfish. Hence, the provide the needs of his family;
potential student has no other option but to - One of the siblings may volunteer to stop
share. The only reward that such a student studying so that his other siblings may
will get is the credit and appreciation of his continue studying because their parents
classmates for him. cannot afford to send to schools
simultaneously.
A thought to ponder...
Can you justify why or why not Cultural CONSEQUENTIALISM
Relativism should be practiced? - the consequence of an action justifies the
moral acceptability of the means taken to
DIVINE COMMAND THEORY reach that end.
- is based on the idea that good actions are “The end will justify the means.”
those aligned with the will of God and bad
actions are those contrary to the will of an example...
God. Atoy Co’s experience.
President ERAP’s resignation (?).
an example...
Ten Commandments consider the following scenario...
What would you use to solve a particular
ETHICAL EGOISM Algebraic problem, the long method or the
- is the philosophy that each person should short method? Given that your teacher
focus exclusively on his or her self interest. ONLY taught the long method, but you
In other words, according to ethical egoism, found a shorter way to solve the given
the morally right action for a person to take problem.
in a particular situation is the action that
will provide that person with the maximum KANTIANISM
long-term benefit. - Deontology or Kantianism is an obligation-
based theory whose chief author was
a simpler way of understanding... Immanuel Kant, who lived in the 18th
A person will always act ethically for certain century.
“benefits.” - According to Kant, morality is based on pure
reason.
an example... - Based from “duty.”
Atty. Juan Matulungin is assisting Jojo Binay
in the latter’s bid for the Presidency. Why? an example...
Because if Jojo will win the Presidency, it A rich old man gave his lawyer, his priest
would be certain that Jojo will appoint him and his doctor each a million dollars on the
in a position Juan ever dreamed of, that is, condition that they put it in the coffin with
to become the Justice Secretary. him when he died so he could prove "you
can take it with you".
At the funeral, they all put in their
envelopes, then the priest said " I have to
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be honest, part of the job you know, I only ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN
put 25% in. The rest went to the needy in COMPUTING
my parish". PART 1
The doctor said "I better be honest too, I
only put in half the money, the rest went to Chapter 2: Computer Ethics
operations to save needy patients lives".
The lawyer said, disdainfully, "How dare you Professional Code of Ethics
not honor the last wishes of a dear old - It is a set of guidelines which are designed
friend! I gave him a check for the whole to set out acceptable behaviour of member
amount!" of a particular group, association or
profession.
consider this...
From among the three persons, who did Benefits of Ethical Guidelines
their sworn duty to their deceased friend • Ethical Decision Making
and client? • High Standards of Practice and Ethical
Behavior
ETHICS VS LAW • Trust and Respect from the General Public
Justify which is powerful: ETHICS or the • Evaluation Benchmark
LAW?
Code of Ethics of the Filipino IT Professionals
1. I will promote public knowledge,
understanding and appreciation of I.T
2. I will consider the general welfare and public
welfare and public good in the performance
of my work.
3. I will advertise goods or professional
services in a clear and truthful manner
4. I will comply and strictly abide by the
intellectual property laws, patent laws and
other related laws in respect of I.T
5. I will accept the full responsibility for the
work undertaken and utilize my skills with
competence and professionalism.
6. I will make truthful statements on my areas
of competence as well as the capabilities
and qualities of my product and services
7. I will not disclose or use any confidential
information obtained in course of
professional duties without the consent of
the parties concerned except when required
by the laws.
8. I will strive to attain the highest quality in
both the products and services that offer.
9. I will knowingly participate in the
development of the Information
Technology.
10. I will uphold and improve the IT
professional’s standard through continuing
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profession in order to enhance the IT The Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics
profession. - Defined by the Computer Ethics Institute
that will serve as a moral guideline in the
Computer Ethics use of computers.
✓ Thou shalt not use a computer to harm
other people
✓ Thou shalt not interfere with other people's
computer work
✓ Thou shalt not snoop around in other
people's computer files
✓ Thou shalt not use a computer to steal
✓ Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false
witness
✓ Thou shalt not copy or use proprietary
software for which you have not paid
✓ Thou shalt not use other people's computer
Three “Levels” of Computer Ethics resources without authorization or proper
• “pop” computer ethics compensation
• “para” computer ethics ✓ Thou shalt not appropriate other people's
• “theoretical” computer ethics intellectual output
✓ Thou shalt think about the social
Moral Responsibilities of Computer Professionals consequences of the program you are
• Do good or cause harm writing or the system you are designing
• Enable others to do good or cause harm ✓ Thou shalt always use a computer in ways
• Influence others to do good or cause harm that insure consideration and respect for
your fellow humans
Code of Ethics of Association of Information
Technology Professionals (AITP)
• I have an obligation to Management
• That I have an obligation to my fellow
members
• That I have an obligation to society
• That I have an obligation to my College or
University
• That I have an obligation to my country
• I accept these obligations
Principles of the Association of Computing
Machineries
• Principle 1: Public
• Principle 2: Client and Employer
• Principle 3: Product
• Principle 4: Judgment
• Principle 5: Management
• Principle 6: Profession
• Principle 7: Colleagues
• Principle 8: Self
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