professional ethics calvin gotlieb, professor emeritus, department of computer science university of...

PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL ETHICSETHICS

Calvin Gotlieb, Calvin Gotlieb, Professor Emeritus, Department of Computer Professor Emeritus, Department of Computer

ScienceScienceUniversity of Toronto University of Toronto

York UniversityYork UniversityOctober 18, 2006October 18, 2006

2York, October 18, 2006 Professional Ethics

ETHICSETHICS

WebsterWebster““The branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to The branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to

humanhumanconduct with respect to rightness and wrongness of actions conduct with respect to rightness and wrongness of actions

and theand thegoodness and badness of motives and ends”goodness and badness of motives and ends”

In considering professional ethics it is necessary to put these In considering professional ethics it is necessary to put these inin

context with different ethical theories proposed through thecontext with different ethical theories proposed through thecenturies, in many countries, by religious leaders and moralcenturies, in many countries, by religious leaders and moralphilosophers philosophers

Reference: Michael J. Quinn “Ethics for the Information Age” Reference: Michael J. Quinn “Ethics for the Information Age” Pearson Education, 2Pearson Education, 2ndnd ed. 2006 ed. 2006


Ethical TheoriesEthical Theories

Descriptive ethics---as practicedDescriptive ethics---as practiced Normative ethics-from the writings of Normative ethics-from the writings of

philosophers and religious leadersphilosophers and religious leaders

AssumptionAssumption Will accept theories based on Will accept theories based on

logic/reasonlogic/reason (as opposed to, say, belief or practice)(as opposed to, say, belief or practice)


SUBJECTIVE/CULTURAL SUBJECTIVE/CULTURAL RELATIVSIMRELATIVSIM

Negative claimNegative claim

There are no universal normsThere are no universal norms

Positive claimPositive claim

Right and wrong are relative to the individual and societyRight and wrong are relative to the individual and society

ProblemsProblems

Accepts intolerance, slavery, apartheid, torture, where Accepts intolerance, slavery, apartheid, torture, where these are societal normsthese are societal norms

Negates idea of moral progressNegates idea of moral progress

Relativism view in itself is a universal claimRelativism view in itself is a universal claim


DIVINE COMMAND THEORYDIVINE COMMAND THEORY

Good actions are those aligned with the will Good actions are those aligned with the will of Godof God

God’s will is revealed in the “holy book” God’s will is revealed in the “holy book” handed downhanded down

through his messengerthrough his messenger

Problems?Problems?


CONSEQUENTIALISMCONSEQUENTIALISM( ACT) UTILITARIANSIM( ACT) UTILITARIANSIM

Jeremy Bentham John Stuart MillsJeremy Bentham John Stuart Mills

What makes acts right or wrong depends wholly on What makes acts right or wrong depends wholly on the consequencesthe consequences

Consequences are difficult to predict So--Consequences are difficult to predict So--

Act so as to achieve the “greatest good for the Act so as to achieve the “greatest good for the greatest number”greatest number”

ProblemsProblems

LeadsLeads to a “calculus of values” But can values be to a “calculus of values” But can values be quantified?quantified?

Should we kill one person to get many body Should we kill one person to get many body parts?parts?


DEONTOLOGICAL THEORIESDEONTOLOGICAL THEORIES

Immanuel KantImmanuel KantThe only unambiguous good thing is the will to do goodThe only unambiguous good thing is the will to do goodThere There areare absolutely, inherently right rules absolutely, inherently right rulesRationality—Man is unique in ability to reasonRationality—Man is unique in ability to reason Therefore rules are good if they follow from logicTherefore rules are good if they follow from logicCategorical ImperativeCategorical Imperative Rules are good if they apply to everyone (Universality)Rules are good if they apply to everyone (Universality) E.g. Do no harm (-) Golden rule (+)E.g. Do no harm (-) Golden rule (+) Never treat human beings as means to an end, but rather as ends Never treat human beings as means to an end, but rather as ends

in themselvesin themselvesLeads to idea of “human rights”---privacy, intellectual property Leads to idea of “human rights”---privacy, intellectual property

rightsrights Are there universal rights?—e.g. life, liberty, pursuit of happinessAre there universal rights?—e.g. life, liberty, pursuit of happinessProblemsProblemsHow to adjudicate between conflicting rights?—privacy and free How to adjudicate between conflicting rights?—privacy and free

speechspeechDoes absolute right imply existence of absolute evil?Does absolute right imply existence of absolute evil?


SOCIAL CONTRACT THEORYSOCIAL CONTRACT THEORY

Thomas Hobbes Jean-Jacques RousseauThomas Hobbes Jean-Jacques Rousseau

There is a “social contract” between individuals and society There is a “social contract” between individuals and society wherewhere

everyone gains (is not hurt)everyone gains (is not hurt)

This leads to legal contract i.e. LawsThis leads to legal contract i.e. Laws

Hence the connection between laws,ethics, moralityHence the connection between laws,ethics, morality

Laws about driving (on the left or right) or protecting Laws about driving (on the left or right) or protecting intellectual intellectual

Property may not be inherently moral but they prevent harm Property may not be inherently moral but they prevent harm and promote goodand promote good

Social Contract theory recognizes the harm resulting form Social Contract theory recognizes the harm resulting form the concentration of wealth and power the concentration of wealth and power


Ethical Codes for ProfessionsEthical Codes for Professions

Requirements for Codes to be EffectiveRequirements for Codes to be Effective

A Code has to formulated and promulgatedA Code has to formulated and promulgated

A transparent process has to be in place to judge cases A transparent process has to be in place to judge cases

where there has been a possible transgression of the where there has been a possible transgression of the codecode

A support system has to be known to aid persons whoA support system has to be known to aid persons who

are willing to be whistleblowers on witnessing what are willing to be whistleblowers on witnessing what theythey

believe is a serious infraction of the code believe is a serious infraction of the code

professional ethics calvin gotlieb, professor emeritus, department of computer science university of...

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