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Home , Situational ethics

Computer Science 122

ETHICS ETHICAL SYSTEMS

• (from Greek meaning "custom") • branch of (from Greek axia meaning “worth”, “”) – one of the four major branches of philosophy (other three are metaphysics, epistemology, logic) • attempts to define that which is right from that which is wrong Three Fields of Ethics

• Ethics is traditionally divided into three fields: – Meta‑ethics – (including value theory and the theory of conduct) –

• Position that there are absolute standards against which moral questions can be judged – certain actions are right or wrong no matter what are the circumstances – Modern human rights theory is a form of moral absolutism

• Theories that hold that the consequences which result from a particular action or policy are the basis for any valid moral judgement about that action or policy

Utilitarianism

• Hedonistic – right action stems from the maximization of • Happiness is defined as the maximization of pleasure and the minimization of pain Egoism

• Actions which are for the “individual” – could be detrimental to general welfare Deontology

• Decisions should be made solely or primarily by considering one's and the rights of others – Greek Deon meaning obligation • existence of a priori moral obligations – ends do not justify the means

• (1724-1804 AD) • Imperative is any idea that declares a certain kind of action (or inaction) to be necessary • Act only according to that maxim by which one can at the same time require and demand that the categorical imperative would become a universal law

• Moral values are whatever is commanded by a deity or deities (Old Testament God, Teutonic Pantheon, The One, etc.) • 's (427-347BC) Dialogue Euthyphro: – "Is the morally good whatever is commanded by god, or does god command what is in fact morally good?" • William of Ockham (1287-1347 AD) – If God commands murder, then murder is morally required – God can change the moral code at any time Ethics

• – Happiness or flourishing • What sort of person one should try to be • Characteristics of a virtuous person • Lead a good, happy and fulfilling life Ethical

• Moral or ethical propositions do not reflect absolute and universal moral truths – relative to social, cultural, historical or personal references – there is no single standard by which to assess an ethical proposition Situational ethics

• of an act is a function of the state of the system at the time it is performed Situated ethics

• Actual state that determines actions or range of actions – State can be health/psychological/mental, geographical, ecological and/or infrastructural

• Ethical propostions reduce to factual statements about the attitudes and/or conventions of individual people Ethical nihilism

• Complete rejection of all systems of authority, morality, and social custom Ethical skepticism

• Maintain doubt about whether ethical propostions are true or false Liberal humanist ethics

• affirms the dignity and worth of all people – based on humans ability to determine what is right using the qualities innate to humanity – rationality Secular humanism

• reason, ethics, and • rejects rituals and ceremonies as a means to affirm one's life stance Religious humanism

• Integration of religious rituals with humanistic philosophy • Centers on human needs, interests, and abilities Altruism

• Individuals have an ethical obligation to help, serve, or benefit others, if necessary at the sacrifice of self interest ACM and AMA codes of ethics

• http://www.acm.org/constitution/code.html • http://www.ama‑assn.org/ama/pub/category/2512.html