Philosophical Ethics

Objectives - know some approaches in philosophical ethics - evaluate actions based on them

Philosophical Ethics

Logical Argument Rational and Impartial

Utilitarian

Consequence-based theory Claim that makes behavior right or wrong depends wholly on the consequence Affirms that the outcome or result of the behavior (action/policies) is important not the intention a person has when he or she acts

Utilitarian

An action is good if it benefited someone; an action is bad if it harms someone Utility tendency of an object to produce happiness or prevent unhappiness for an individual or community

Utilitarian

Happiness advantages, benefit, good, or pleasure Unhappiness disadvantages, cost, evil, pain

Utilitarian

Eg; choose two courses of actions, Act A and Act B Morally correct action will be the one that produces the most desirable outcome for the greatest number of individual or majority

Utilitarian
Two principles 1)The principle of social utility The moral value of actions and policies ought to be measured in terms of their social usefulness The more utility the action have, the more they can be defended as morally permissible action

Utilitarian
Example Policy Y encourages the development of software, which in turn would produce more jobs and higher income for those living in community X. then policy Y would be considered more socially useful and thus morally correct policy

Utilitarian
2) The belief that social utility can be measured by the amount of happiness produced Action/policies that generates the most happiness for the most people are most desirable

Utilitarian

What to decide? Consider alternatives Predict the consequences of each alternative Choose the action which brings about the most happiness

Act Utilitarian

An act X is morally permissible if the consequences produced by doing X result in the greatest good for the greatest number of persons affected by X

Rule Utilitarian

An act X is morally permissible if the consequences of following the general rule Y, of which the act X is an instance, would bring about the greatest good for the greatest number If followed by everyone, would, in the long run maximize happiness Eg; telling the truth, keep your promise, dont reward behavior that causes pain to others

Deontological Theory

Duty-based ethical theory (immanuel Kant) Morality be grounded in the concept of duty or obligation that humans have to relational being If an action is done from a sense of duty, if the principle of the action can be universalized then the action is right

Deontological Theory Categorical Imperative

first formulation Act only from moral rule that you can at the same time will to be universal moral laws Second formulation Act so that you always treat both yourself and other people as ends in themselves, and never only as a means to an end

Deontological Theory
Eg If I tell the truth because I recognize that I must respect the other person, then I act from duty and my action is right. If I tell the truth because I fear getting caught or bec. I believe I will be rewarded for doing so, then my act is not morally worth

Social-Contract Theory

Contract between individuals, between individuals and government The establishment of a set of moral rules to govern relations among citizens A government capable of enforcing these rules The agreement (social contract) creates obligations and these obligations are the basis of moral obligation

Virtue ethics

Focuses on criteria having to do with the character development of individuals and their acquisition of good character traits from the kind of habit they develop Virtue means excellence, ethics concerns with excellence in human character To be a moral person, one had to acquire the right virtue

Ethics in Information Technology

The increased use of information technology has raised many ethical issues for todays IT professional.

Licensing of IT professionals Internet communication Intellectual property Employee/employer issues

Summary

Ethics are beliefs regarding right and wrong behavior. Business ethics are becoming increasingly important because the risks associated with inappropriate behavior have grown. Corporations are interested in fostering good business ethics:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Protect the company and employees from legal action. Create an organization that operates consistently. To produce good business. To avoid negative publicity. To gain the good will of the community

Summary

The growth of use in IT has also increased the risk of unethical uses of IT.