This document discusses frameworks for philosophical and computer ethics. It outlines four principles for analyzing ethical issues: formal guidelines from professional codes, ethical theories, legal issues, and informal guidelines. The frameworks are meant to help appreciate all possible resolutions to ethical dilemmas and allow individuals to make informed judgments. Key aspects of the frameworks include identifying stakeholders, listing relevant facts neutrally, and evaluating the reasons given to justify actions according to the four principles.

1. Philosophical Ethics ⇔ Computer Ethics
Dr. Varun Kumar
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2. Outlines
1 Introduction to Philosophical Ethics
2 Theoretical Frameworks
3 A Framework for Ethical Analysis
Formal Guidelines
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3. Introduction to Philosophical Ethics
1 Spinello (1995) the purpose of ethics is to help us behave honourably
and attain those basic goods that make us more fully human.
Meta ethics: The study of moral discourse.
Normative ethics : Examines standards for the rightness and
wrongness of actions.
⇒ Ethics is not an exact science.
⇒ The same levels of objective truth that is possible in the rational
sciences or mathematics cannot be attained.
A > γ → True B < γ → False
⇒ Ethics consists merely of emotional and subjective opinions.
⇒ Moral judgements should be based upon rational moral principles and
sound, carefully reasoned arguments.
⇒ Normative claims are supported by ’An appeal to defensible moral
principles, which become manifest through rational discourse.’
Q How should life be lived? or What is the good life? → Aristotle
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4. Theoretical Framework
⇒ No unique solution for a scenario of moral dilemma.
⇒ It does not follow that all solutions are equally valid.
⇒ A moral position can be assessed according to
Objective criteria
Respect or violate basic human rights
Open to human fulfilment
Maximize the social good, etc.
⇒ These guidelines constitute a framework for the ethical analysis of
cases where ethical and professional issues may have been invoked.
⇒ The initial step in conducting an ethical analysis is
To establish one or more issues to be analysed.
(a) Then for each issue the law and principles presented in each of the four
processes of the framework are applied.
(b) For each issue one or more alternative options are often highlighted.
(c) The analysis will disqualify some options to the ethical issue in favour
of others.
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5. Continued–
⇒ Kallman and Grillo (1996) proposed the normative guidelines under
ethical framework.
⇒ For making many ethical principles are conflicting sometimes.
Analysis of an action
Course of action
Example → Egoism focuses on self interest.
⇒ An appreciation of ethics allows individuals to be aware of all possible
ethical resolutions and their respective implications.
⇒ Ethical analysis does not prescribe a particular set of ethical values for
resolving ethical issues invoked by computers.
⇒ Allow an individual to appreciate all the possible course(s) of action.
Course of action may differ
It may be conflicting
Set a common ethical values
Judgment which is acceptable for all.
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6. A Framework for Ethical Analysis
⇒ The first task is to list all the relevant facts.
⇒ It should be a a neutral, logical exercise → Kallman and Grillo.
⇒ The second task is to list the stakeholders in the case to determine
who is affected by the action being analyzed.
⇒ A judgment must be made as to whether a stakeholder is important
enough to be listed.
There may also be a number of secondary stakeholders, and including
them and their claims might not improve the depth of the case analysis.
To evaluate all the reasons that individuals give or may give to justify
their actions, i.e. failing to fulfil their duty.
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7. Four Principle for Each Stakeholder
⇒ Formal Guidelines:
⇒ Ethical Theory:
⇒ Legal Issues:
⇒ Informal Guidelines:
Formal Guidelines:
The professional codes provide guidance related to making ethical
decisions.
⇒ A professional code is a set of rules that state principal duties for all
professionals.
⇒ It should endeavor to discharge in pursuing their professional lives.
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8. Continued–
The computer ethicists Martin and Martin made a comparison of the
ethical codes of four computer societies:
1 Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
2 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
3 Data Processing Managers Association (DPMA)
4 Institute for the Certification of Computer Professionals (ICCP)
Ten common themes that emerged as the core for ethical behaviour for
computer professionals:
(a) Personal integrity/claim of competence
(b) Personal responsibility for work
(c) Responsibility to employer/client
(d) Responsibility to profession
(e) Confidentiality of information
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9. Continued–
(f) Conflict of interest
(g) Dignity/worth of people
(h) Public safety, health, and welfare
(i) Participation in professional societies
(j) Increasing public knowledge about technology
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