Chapter Four

THE GOOD LIFE IN OUR WORLD TODAY

Ethics in Digital Technology

Overview
Consider the following overture as it introduces this lesson.

Every area of our lives is being influenced by technology, which is still developing at a breakneck rate. This includes
how we communicate, work, learn, and even make decisions. There is a rising need to think about the ethical impacts
of technical breakthroughs as a result of this unparalleled effect. Ethics in technology examines the moral
conundrums and societal effects brought about by technological advancement and application. It poses important
queries on accountability, equity, privacy, and the possible fallout from innovation.

Setting ethical standards that guarantee technology benefits us fairly, and constructively becomes crucial as we
traverse concerns like data privacy, automation, Al, and digital inclusion. This discipline emphasizes the significance
of deliberate and responsible decision-making in the development and application of new technologies, attempting to
strike a balance between innovation and the necessity to safeguard individual rights and society's well-being.

Techy Situation

Students will bring to mind a range of scenarios that includes ethical dilemmas in using technology. In small groups,
they will think of such a sticky situation (morally speaking), and choose the best course of action while taking the
ethical ramifications into account. Application of their learning in the ethical standards should be evident in their
presentations.

After sharing their choices with the class, each group will lead a discussion. They should follow these instructions:
1. Divide the class into small groups (e.g. 3-5 students per group).
2. In their group discussion, they are to read and discuss their scenario, considering questions like:
o What are the ethical issues involved?
o Who are the stakeholders affected?
o What should be done to address the issue?
1. Allow each group time to discuss their scenario and come to a consensus on the best course of action.
2. Encourage students to think critically and consider multiple perspectives.
3. During the class sharing, have each group present their scenario and decision to the class.
4. After each presentation, open the floor for other students to ask questions or provide alternative viewpoints.
5. In wrapping up the discussion, students are asked of their key takeaways from the activity.
6. As a follow-up, the students are asked to write a short reflection on what they learned about the importance
of ethics in technology, and how they would approach ethical dilemmas in the future. This can be assigned
as homework or completed in class.

Lesson Presentation

Carefully comprehend and study the explanations on the lesson's concepts, their importance and relevance and
ponder on the realizations or insights you would obtain from them.

One of the defining characteristics of humanity is our ability to harness and adapt to the world around us.
Unlike other beings, we possess a unique capacity to transform our environment into a resource or tool to achieve
our goals. This ability to create and use tools has been a key factor in our survival and success, allowing us to thrive
despite the competitive challenges in our environment.

As human society has evolved, so too have our tools. We've progressed from rudimentary sticks and stones to
sophisticated pens, printing presses, and the transformative innovations of the Industrial Revolution. Each leap in tool
development has mirrored the advancement of our species, pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

However, with the advancement of technology comes a complex set of moral considerations. Technology, in and of
itself, is morally neutral—it possesses no intrinsic values or ethics. Its impact is determined by how humans choose to
employ it. Thus, the challenge becomes one of ensuring that our use of technology aligns with ethical standards and
serves the greater good

The question then arises: what moral principles are applicable to the utilization of technology? how can
humanity ensure that its utilization of technology is guided by positive and ethical principles?

This lesson explores the ethical dimensions of humanity's relationship with technological advancement more
specifically digital technology. It begins with an examination of technology and expands to consider broader issues
such as the internet, data protection, artificial intelligence, and tools like ChatGPT. Technology has significantly
shrunk the world, creating a global network that connects individuals across vast distances. As the virtual realm
evolves into a distinct society of its own, it becomes crucial to enforce moral principles to ensure its order and
harmony.

Ethical Issues in Digital Technology

1.1. ChaGPT
Most students today are familiar with online classes, where education is delivered through technology rather than
traditional in-person instruction, enabling distance learning. This shift became essential during the pandemic to
continue education despite health risks. While online education has allowed for uninterrupted learning, it has faced
considerable criticism and raised various concerns about its effectiveness and ethical implications.

Teachers frequently report that online learning platforms are insufficient in preventing students from cheating. This
not only undermines the assessment process but also fosters a culture of dishonesty and excessive reliance on
technology. Instances of cheating and dependency are notably prevalent as students often turn to tools like ChatGPT
for completing assignments.

Additionally, the absence of face-to-face supervision makes it difficult to uphold academic integrity and actively
engage students. This environment can compromise the quality of learning and diminish personal accountability,
raising concerns about the long-term impact on students' academic and ethical development.

Consequently, educators and institutions are challenged to find effective strategies that maintain high standards while
capitalizing on the advantages of online learning

However, these issues represent a broader, more complex problem related to the use of ChatGPT and similar
technologies. While such tools provide convenience and support, they also provoke critical questions about the
nature of learning and the role of technology in education. The true challenge lies not only in curbing misuse but in
reimagining how technology can be integrated in ways that genuinely enhance the learning experience while
promoting integrity and independent thought. To ensure that technology remains a positive force, educators and
institutions must address these deeper concerns and adapt their approaches accordingly.

Critical thinking is an arduous process, which is why many people tend to avoid it. This tendency sheds light on why
students may resort to cheating or rely heavily on technology rather than engaging their own minds.

The convenience that ChatGPT provides allows students to bypass the demanding effort of critical thought.

However, this reliance on technology brings forth significant ethical concerns.

1.2. Ethical Standards on ChatGPT (Artificial Intelligence or Al) Usage

While Utilitarians emphasize the maximization of pleasure, this does not justify cheating. John Stuart Mill's version of
utilitarianism highlights that pleasure should be assessed not just by quantity but also by quality. As moral agents, we
must consider questions such as, "What kind of pleasure am I pursuing? What am I sacrificing for this pleasure?"
Using ChatGPT to avoid the effort of critical thinking represents a pursuit of lower pleasures, which undermines the
development of higher, cognitive pleasures. This form of shortcutting compromises the opportunity for intellectual
growth and the richer, more fulfilling experiences that come from genuine cognitive effort.

Kant's first categorical imperative highlights the importance of determining whether logical contradictions will emerge
in the maxim of your act after the process of Universalizability Method. Applying Kant's Universalizability method on
ChatGPT:

O. Identify the action to be tested. use ChatGPT when I have academic assessments.
1. Articulate the Personal Maxim. "When I have academic assessments, I shall fully rely on ChatGPT."
 2. Universalizability Test. "When we have an academic assessment, then we shall fully rely on ChatGPT."
The act of relying solely on ChatGPT contradicts the definition of assessment because the very act of relying
on ChatGPT prevents the very essence of assessment which is to determine how much knowledge is
retained by a student.

3. Find out whether contradiction is present or absent. Contradiction is present; so, the personal maxim
should be negated, "When I have academic assessments, I shall NOT fully rely on ChatGPT", which is the
categorical imperative.

Therefore, the action tested is unethical based on the result of its universalizability test. The categorical imperative or
duty in this situation is never to fully rely on ChatGPT as articulated by the given personal maxim.

Unlike Utilitarianism and Kantian Ethics, virtue ethics does not strictly focus on the consequences of an act or the
strict imposition of rules, it focuses rather on the development of character. Illuminating the use of ChatGPT in such a
manner through the lens of Virtue Ethics reveals the unethical nature of such utilization.

Simply put, ask yourself, what kind of a person will you become if you continue doing such? What character and
attributes will you develop? You will likely find that relying on ChatGPT in this way does not foster virtues like honesty
or moral excellence and may undermine the development of intellectual virtues.

2.1. Misinformation and Manipulation

Journalists in traditional media follow strict guidelines for truthfulness, dependability, and moral behavior in addition to
receiving specific training. On the other hand, content creation and distribution have become more accessible thanks
to social media platforms, which allow anybody with internet connection to create and distribute material without the
need for editorial oversight. Consequently, the gatekeeping function of journalists has decreased, leading to a blurring
of the boundaries between amateur and professional content makers.

Social media provides quick and simple access to information, which has major advantages for society and
individuals alike. Positive social change can be fostered by using social media to elevate the voices of
underrepresented and underprivileged groups. These same characteristics do, however, also carry a significant
danger. Users are frequently exposed to information in online contexts due to a lack of quality control.

The dissemination of false information can have far-reaching effects, as the COVID-19 pandemic has Shown.
Misinformation circulated throughout this crisis, causing people to reject scientific recommendations like immunization
and social isolation, and even encouraging risky behaviors like bleach consumption. The public's confidence in
accurate information has been damaged by this phenomenon, endangering democratic countries and fueling a
general mistrust of reliable sources.

Fighting false information requires a multidimensional strategy that examines social media platforms' role in content
management and places special emphasis on information ethics. Taking into account the obligations placed on social
media users to navigate and share information is equally vital. In the digital age, platforms, content creators, and
users must work together to ensure the integrity of information.

In response to the intense public debate over the role of social media in the proliferation of misinformation, social
media platforms have implemented various measures to combat false information. These measures include providing
context about news sources, enlisting fact-checkers to identify false content, and offering warnings and tips for
recognizing fake news. However, these strategies have had only a limited impact, as they predominantly focus on
external detection without directly engaging users in the process. Users themselves must understand the moral
implication of being a responsible user.

2.2. Ethical Standards in Misinformation and Manipulation

To explore the ethical dimensions of social media users' responsibility in curbing misinformation, we can analyze the
issue through prominent ethical frameworks:
1. Utilitarian Framework. According to this viewpoint, choices should be made in light of the outcomes we
hope to achieve. Before posting anything on social media, consider the advantages and disadvantages. A
post has the potential to disseminate misinformation and garner attention in addition to increasing one's own
popularity, but it also has the potential to harm other people.
2. Kant's Categorical Imperative. Going back to the Universalizability principle, a moral agent must always
ensure that the maxims of his acts can be consistently universalized. One must ensure that there will be no
contradiction between the maxim once it is universalized. Lying fails in this criterion as it would lead to
 logical inconsistency once universalized. On the other hand, using the second categorical formulation, we
must not treat others merely as a means to an end but rather as an end in themselves. Deceiving other
people for personal gains clearly violates this second formulation.
3. Virtue ethics. The development of moral character is essential to this strategy. Aristotle believed that virtue
is acquired via practice. It is our ethical duty as social media users to use vigilance in fact-checking and
confirming information before sharing it. Creating moral habits in the sharing and consumption of information
promotes a more trustworthy and moral digital world.

Conclusion

Many people tend to vilify technology, blaming it for various problems we face today. However, it's important to
remember that technology itself is neutral and lacks inherent moral value. Instead, it exposes fundamental truths
about our nature. Philosopher Martin Heidegger captures this idea well: "Technology comes to presence in the realm
where revealing and un-concealment take place, where alētheia, truth, happens."

Rather than being just a tool, technology serves as a means of revelation, uncovering truths about the world and of
ourselves. It is our responsibility to examine and improve our own character, ensuring that technology highlights our
positive qualities and moral values.

Reference

Fernandez, A. (2012), Ethics: Basic Concepts, Theories & Cases, Davao City: SMKC Printshoppe.
Evangelista, F. J. (2020), Ethics: Theories and Applications. Anvit Publishing, Inc.
Troullinou, P. (2021), Fighting misinformation: an ethical perspective. Tritateral Research Ltd.
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Armitage, P. 5 Ethics /ssues for ChatGPT and Design. The Fountain Institute.
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