Computer Ethics and Society

Study Notes

Ethics is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality, involving concepts such as good and bad, noble and ignoble, right and wrong, justice and virtue.
It is a discipline that investigates principles, methods, and human behavior, and is relative, meaning it is influenced by external factors.

ICT has affected the criteria and nature of ethics, shifting from a theoretical and philosophical perspective to a more practical and action-oriented approach.
The rapid development and widespread use of ICT have created new ethical challenges, such as hacking, plagiarism, privacy, and piracy issues.
These challenges have led to a conflict between the main purpose of ICT (providing information access) and the need to protect information and prevent misuse.

A code of ethics is essential in ICT to guide professionals in their actions and decisions.
Such a code should include principles such as informed consent, justice, and respect for others' work and intellectual property.
The code should be distributed and acknowledged among ICT professionals, and its purpose is to avoid misconduct and promote ethical behavior.

Informed consent: ensuring that users are aware of the implications of ICT on their lives.
Justice: balancing the benefits and risks of ICT, and minimizing harm to individuals and society.
Respect for others' work and intellectual property: avoiding plagiarism, theft, and unauthorized use of others' work.

Professional code of ethics: guiding professionals in their actions and decisions.
System code of ethics: ensuring that systems and technologies are designed and developed with ethical considerations in mind.

Thou shalt not use a computer to harm others.
Thou shalt not interfere with others' computer work.
Thou shalt not snoop around in others' computer files.
Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.
Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness.
Thou shalt not copy or use proprietary software without permission.
Thou shalt not use others' computer resources without authorization.
Thou shalt not appropriate others' intellectual output.
Thou shalt consider the social consequences of the programs and systems you design.
Thou shalt always use a computer in ways that ensure respect for your fellow humans.

Professional ethics are essential in ICT to ensure that professionals act with integrity, honesty, and respect for others.
A code of ethics serves as a guidance, inspiration, and tool for discipline and evaluation.
It helps to preserve professional integrity, harmony, and a positive image.

The ACM code of ethics is designed to inspire and guide the ethical conduct of computing professionals.
It includes principles such as contributing to society, avoiding harm, being honest and trustworthy, and respecting the work of others.
The code is divided into four sections: general ethical principles, professional responsibilities, professional leadership principles, and compliance with the code.

The code is a joint effort between ACM and IEEE, and is designed to guide software engineers in their professional conduct.
It includes eight principles, such as acting in the public interest, being loyal to clients and employers, and promoting an ethical approach to software development and maintenance.
The code aims to ensure that software engineering is a beneficial and respected profession.