Computer ethics examines the ethical questions that arise from the development and use of computing technologies. It involves clarifying issues, developing frameworks for resolving problems, and analyzing the social impact of computers. While computers introduce new capabilities and possibilities, the ethical issues themselves are not entirely new but rather new forms of older issues. As computer and information technologies continue advancing and converging with other fields like nanotechnology and biotechnology, they will likely pose additional novel ethical challenges.

1. Introduction to Computer Ethics

2. Computer ethics defined (1)
• The ethical questions that arise as a consequence of the
development and deployment of computing technologies.
This involves:
• clarifying the issues & problems
• developing a framework for their resolution
Johnson & Nissenbaum

3. Computer ethics defined (2)
• The analysis of the nature and social impact of
computer technology and the corresponding
formulation and justification of policies for the
ethical use of such technology
James Moor

4. Computer ethics defined (3)
• Computer ethics examines the impact of computers
on our social, legal, and moral systems …
Tavani

5. Evolution of computer ethics issues
Phase Time Period Technological Features Associated Issues
1 1950s-1960s Stand-alone machines (large
mainframe computers)
Artificial intelligence (AI),
database privacy ("Big Brother")
2 1970s-1980s Minicomputers and PCs
interconnected via privately owned
networks
Issues from Phase 1 plus concerns
involving intellectual property and
software piracy, computer crime,
privacy and the exchange of
records.
3 1990s-Present Internet and World Wide Web Issues from Phases 1 and 2 plus
concerns about free speech,
anonymity, etc.
4 Present to
Near Future
Convergence of information and
communication technologies with
nanotechnology research and genetic
research, etc.
Issues from Phases 1-3 plus
concerns about artificial electronic
agents ("bots") with decision-
making capabilities, bionic chip
implants, nanocomputing research,
etc.

6. Is computer ethics different from other
kinds of ethics?
• I.e., is an entirely new kind of ethics required in order to deal
with the ethical questions that arise from widespread computer
use?
• Let’s distinguish between the uniqueness of the technology &
the uniqueness of the ethical issues.
• Even though there is a relationship
• Powerful technologies have profound social consequences.

7. The uniqueness of the computer
• It plays a defining role in the world
• It has expanded capabilities
• And provides expanded possibilities
• It has created new entities
• The scale of computer-dependent activities is greater than
ever because of its:
• Speed
• Scope
• Ability to store & manipulate large amounts of data
• Ability to perform complex calculations

8. The uniqueness of computer ethics?
• Consider some examples of the impact of this unique
technology:
• Privacy issues
• Intellectual property issues
• Workplace issues
• Effects of malfunctions

9. Some say “yes”, others say “no”
• All agree that it’s important to study computer ethics,
but with varying perspectives
• Maner: yes
• There are brand new ethical issues before us that didn’t exist before
the advent of computing.
• Johnson: no
• The ethical problems that arise are not new, but are new species of
old problems.
• Moor: yes & no
• Ethical problems arising from situations in which computers are
essentially involved are unique.
• Barlow: yes
• Views cyberspace as a newly discovered continent.

10. Deborah Johnson
New species have special features and…if we simply treat them
as the same as other familiar cases we may fail to recognize how the
new features change the situation in morally significant ways.

11. James Moor
The logical malleability & informational
enrichment capabilities of computers give rise to policy
vacuums caused by conceptual muddles.

12. Computer ethics as a field of
professional ethics
• Most professions promote standards for acceptable
behavior. What special responsibilities do computer
professionals have?

13. Computer ethics as a field of
philosophical ethics
• Johnson
• New species of old problems
• Moor
• Filling ethical policy vacuums
• Brey
• Disclosive ethics

14. A first stab at analyzing a computer ethics
situation
• Who are the stakeholders?
• What are the technology aspects that give rise to significant
ethical issues?
• Formulate an analogy that enables you to highlight & clarify
the significant issues
• Draw a conclusion.

15. Identifying stakeholders
• The social context and social impact of a specific instance
of computer usage are best understood when we can identify
the stakeholders - those individuals and groups whose lives
will be most affected.
• What relationships do these people have to each other? to the
technology?
• How are various aspects of their lives affected by this use of
technology?

16. Analogies
• Reasoning by analogy involves the use of familiar situations
to understand ethical issues involving computers.
• They are useful in teasing out the similarities as well as the
differences.
• They must be fully developed to be useful.