Ethics for IT Professionals
Part 1: Philosophical Background
Norman Creaney

How can we tell the difference
between right and wrong?
We all have a sense of right and wrong:
things we think we ought to do
things we think we ought not to do
How can we make sense of this - in order to:
make ethical choices?
discuss options rationally?
justify choices to others?

These provide no basis for rational
discussion or accountability.
I am intuitively able to distinguish between right and wrong.
but is your intuition the same as mine?
My religion tells me the difference between right and wrong.
but does everyone else share your religion?
If something is against the law then it is wrong.
but do all countries have the same laws?
If my family behave a certain way then that must be right.
oh really?

The Golden Rule
Treat others as you would like to be treated.
Familiar in many cultures and most religions.
Can be accepted as fair by everyone.
Is applicable to all people in all situations.

The Utility Principle
The greatest good for the greatest number of
people.
Favours actions that produce the greatest amount of
happiness for the greatest number of people.
Can also be accepted as fair by everyone and applicable to
all people in all situations.
Practical difficulty in quantifying \"happiness\".

An Important Distinction
The Golden Rule The Utility Principle
emphasises the intent emphasises the effects of
underlying an action an action
an act is good or bad in an act is good if it
and of itself produces good outcomes
or consequences

What should Jane do?
Jane is a student who needs a copy of a particular textbook to help her
with her coursework. The college library has a single copy of the book,
which is already on loan, and will not be available again until after the
coursework is due to be submitted.
The book is available in the local bookstore for $30 but her friend tells
her of a file sharing site on the internet where she can download a PDF
version of the book for free. Jane knows that downloading the PDF
version is in violation of the author's copyright - on the other hand, she
has already overspent this month and cannot really afford to spend
another $30.

The Utility Principle
Act utilitarianism: act in such a way as to promote the
greatest happiness.
On the one hand, using the file sharing site would deprive
the author of income:
Result - Jane is happy but the author is unhappy.
On the other hand, buying the book would deprive Jane of
her $30.
Result - Jane is unhappy but the author is happy.
On this analysis Jane still cannot decide what to do -
either way, one person is happy and the other is unhappy.

The Utility Principle
Rule utilitarianism: formulate a general rule that will
promote the greatest happiness.
Everyone uses file sharing sites => there would then be no
incentive for authors to write => no more books
This would make lots of people less happy:
authors would not be able to earn a living
readers would soon run out of books to read.
Therefore RULE = do not use file sharing sites.
Therefore, Jane should not use the file sharing site.

The Golden Rule
Jane should treat others as she would like to be treated
herself.
Using the file sharing site deprives the the author of
income.
If Jane were the author of the book she would not want to
be deprived of her income.
Therefore, Jane should not use the file sharing site.

Conclusion
Problems: Nevertheless these principles
do:
Utility principle:
How can we \"quantify bring clarity
happiness\"
enable rational discussion
Golden Rule: They are - arguably - the
\"Do not do unto others as
best tools that we have.
you would that they should
do unto you. Their tastes
may not be the same.\" ~
George Bernard Shaw

Related Materials
Ethics for IT Professionals: Part 1
http://knol.google.com/k/-/-/1hzaxtdr9c09g/28#
Ethics for IT Professionals: Part 2
http://knol.google.com/k/-/-/1hzaxtdr9c09g/33#
Legal Issues for IT Professionals
http://knol.google.com/k/-/-/1hzaxtdr9c09g/7#