Computer Science 122 ETHICS ETHICAL SYSTEMS • Ethics (from Greek meaning "custom") • branch of axiology (from Greek axia meaning “worth”, “value”) – 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 – Normative ethics (including value theory and the theory of conduct) – applied ethics Moral absolutism • 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 Consequentialism • 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 Utilitarianism – right action stems from the maximization of happiness • Happiness is defined as the maximization of pleasure and the minimization of pain Egoism • Actions which are good for the “individual” – could be detrimental to general welfare Deontology • Decisions should be made solely or primarily by considering one's duties and the rights of others – Greek Deon meaning obligation • existence of a priori moral obligations – ends do not justify the means Categorical imperative • Immanuel Kant (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 Divine Command Theory • Moral values are whatever is commanded by a deity or deities (Old Testament God, Teutonic Pantheon, The One, etc.) • Plato'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 Virtue Ethics • Eudaimonia – 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 relativism • 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 • Morality 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 subjectivism • 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 justice • 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 .