Introduction to Information Systems Ethics PDF

INTRODUCTION to INFORMATION SYSTEMS ETHICS UNIT 1, BU1173 TEXTBOOK: CHAPTER 2 (Kizza, pp. 15-30) Course Expectations STUDENTS Show up to class on time Come prepared to class and tests Be respectful TEACHER I will be available during work periods to provide extra help and guidance I will be respectfu...

INTRODUCTION to INFORMATION SYSTEMS ETHICS UNIT 1, BU1173 TEXTBOOK: CHAPTER 2 (Kizza, pp. 15-30) Course Expectations STUDENTS Show up to class on time Come prepared to class and tests Be respectful TEACHER I will be available during work periods to provide extra help and guidance I will be respectful Use work periods if you need extra help Assignment extensions will not be considered for last minute issues Let me know, with plenty of notice, if you are having an issue handing in an assignment on time. I am here to help. I will respond to emails within 2 business days Maintain Academic integrity I will return grades for major assignments within 2 weeks It is expected that you WILL NOT be academically dishonest. Academic Integrity policy can be found in the Student Handbook The policy is strictly followed by Northern College, and states the following: Students who commit academic dishonesty for the first time in their program will get 0% on their assignment Students who commit academic dishonesty for the second time in their program will get 0% in their course Students who commit academic dishonesty for the third time in their program will fail their program and be expelled from the college Examples of Academic Dishonesty Handing in work that you have copied from a friend Handing in work that you have copied word for word from a textbook or website Running your work through translation software in order to translate it into English Doing your friends work for them Cheating on a test Speaking to another classmate during a test Patchwork plagiarism LET’S BEGIN AT THE BEGINNING Thinking of Info Systems Ethics… Morality & the Law Ethics – where they come from and how we use them Reasoning in everyday life Ethical Reasoning, and how to make ethical decisions Computer Ethics, and why they are needed Term: Information Systems 1) An integrated set of components for collecting, storing, and processing data and for providing information, knowledge, and digital products 2) An academic study of systems with a specific reference to information, and the complementary networks of hardware and software that people and organizations use to collect, filter, process, create and also distribute data Examples *** It is important to note that Facebook is not an information system, it is a company that is almost entirely based on the function of an information system. What types of actions do organizations use information systems for? Carry out and manage their operations Interact with their customers and suppliers, and compete in the marketplace Run inter-organizational supply chains and electronic markets Process financial accounts, to manage their human resources, and to reach their potential customers with online promotions Provide services cost-effectively to citizens; a well-designed information system means fewer real-life employees needed How do we access information systems? Through computers and computing devices Laptops, tablets, cell phones, etc. Through software systems Computer programs and apps The most obvious example of how you practice your own ethics is how you make decisions every day, even if you didn’t realize it! MORALITY: THREE DEFINITIONS 1 Descriptive Definition According to Wikipedia, morality means a set of rules (code) of conduct that governs human behavior in matters of right and wrong. An example of the descriptive usage could be “common conceptions of morality have changed significantly over time.” 2 Normative and Universal Definition This definition is more prescriptive and refers to an ideal code of conduct This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY that would be observed by all rational people, under specified conditions. An example is a moral value judgment such as “murder is immoral.” 3 Definition Synonymous with Ethics It refers to ethics, the systematic philosophical study of the moral domain. MORALITY: SHARED VALUES AND CULTURAL INFLUENCE Shared Values Cultural Influence Moral values are generally shared Because morality is territorial and values in a society, although the culturally based, as long as we live in degree of sharing these values varies a society, we are bound to live within greatly. We may agree more on that society’s guidelines. values like truth, justice, and loyalty than on others. Factors Influencing Morality A number of factors influence the context of morality, including time and place. MORAL THEORIES: JUSTIFYING SHARED VALUES Importance of Moral Theories Moral theories seek to introduce a degree of rationality and rigor into our moral deliberations. They give our deliberations plausibility and help us to better understand those values and the contradictions therein. MORAL DECISION-MAKING: THE PROCESS Factors for Good Moral Decision A decision is morally good if the result from it is good. A good moral decision embodies nearly all moral theories and usually takes into consideration various factors. Ensuring Reason and Impartiality Moral and ethical theorists have outlined four ways of ensuring reason and impartiality in moral decision-making. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY MORAL CODES: RULES AND NORMS Definition of Moral Codes The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy defines moral codes as rules or norms within a group for what is proper behavior for the members of that group. Complex Definitions Moral codes are often complex definitions of right and wrong that are based upon well-defined group’s value systems. MORAL CODES: EVOLUTION & SURVIVAL Evolution of Moral Codes These patterns have been with us since the beginnings of human civilization and have evolved mainly for the survival of the group or society. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY Moral Decision-Making: Rationality and Rigor Role of Moral Theories Moral theories give our deliberations plausibility and help us to better understand those values and the contradictions therein. Importance of Rationality Moral theories seek to introduce a degree of rationality and rigor into our moral deliberations. EXAMPLES OF MORAL CODES, (Kizza, 2023, p. 20) MORAL CODE: THE GOLDEN RULE CARL SAGAN American astronomer and science writer 1934-1996 Culture-free and timeless universal set of moral codes: 1. Be friendly at the first meeting. 2. Do not envy. 3. Be generous; forgive your enemy if he or she forgives you. 4. Be neither a tyrant nor a patsy. 5. Retaliate proportionately to an intentional injury (within the constraints of the rule of the law). 6. Make your behavior fair (although not perfectly) clear and consistent. (Kizza, 2023, Krague, 2023) MORAL THEORIES AND ETHICS Delaying the Discussion Because many philosophers and others use the words moral and ethical synonymously, we delay the discussion of moral theories until we discuss ethics. ETHICS VS. MORALS TERM: REASONING The act of thinking about something in a logical, sensible way, in order to form a conclusion or judgment To find an answer to a problem by considering all possible solutions TERM: ETHICAL REASONING The integration of ethical principles into the reasoning process The process of making a decision that could result in a moral conflict ETHICS: THE ANCIENT GREEKS Greek philosophers were "seekers and lovers of wisdom". They studied and analyzed the world around them using logic and reason. Although we often think of philosophy as religion or "the meaning of life", the Greek philosophers were also scientists. Many studied mathematics and physics as well. MAJOR GREEK PHILOSOPHERS 2400 years ago (400BC), Athens, Greece Socrates Plato Aristotle Socrates was the first major Greek philosopher. He came up with the Socratic Method. This was a way of studying issues and problems through a question-and-answer technique. Socrates introduced political philosophy and got the Greeks to start thinking hard about morals, good and evil, and how their society should work. Socrates didn't write a lot down, but we know what he thought from the recordings of his student, Plato. Plato wrote much of his philosophy in conversations called dialogues. The dialogues feature Socrates as one of the speakers. Plato's most famous work is called the Republic. In this work Socrates discusses the meaning of justice and how cities and governments should be ruled. He describes his ideal society in the conversations. This work is still studied today and has had an impact on both philosophy and political theory throughout history. Aristotle was a student of Plato but didn't necessarily agree with all that Plato said. Aristotle liked to focus on more practical areas of philosophy including science. He founded his own school called the Lyceum. He thought that reason was the highest good and that it was important to have self control. Aristotle was a tutor for Alexander the Great. (Duckster, 2022) Plato’s Allegory of the Cave Definition of allegory: “moral story” “symbolic story” “mythological” “metaphorical” Plato’s Allegory of the Cave (Duckster, 2022) Plato’s Two World Theory Inside the Cave Outside the Cave Opinion Evil Shadows Illusion Misunderstanding Knowledge Good The sun Truth Understanding IRL EXAMPLES: COPERNICUS, BRUNO, & GALILEO Geocentric Universe Heliocentric Universe States that the earth is at the center of the cosmos or universe, and the planets, the sun and the moon, and the stars circles around it. Places the Sun at the center with the planets orbiting it. MODERN DAY INTERPRETATIONS OF PLATO’S CAVE EXAMPLES No Country for Old Men The Matrix CURRENT EXAMPLE IN THE NEWS ETHICAL REASONING: THE HEINZ DILEMMA Lawrence Kohlberg worked to study the development of the morality in children. He did this by reading them a scenario called the “Heinz Dilemma”, which tests their sense of right/wrong. We are going to take part in an experimental reading of the Heinz Dilemma today- and test ourselves. These results do not define who you are, nor do they determine your worth- this is just so we can get a better idea of his research! READ MORE HERE Please follow along with the text as I read aloud. Do not yell out responses or share your answer with anyone- this is a personal process. The Heinz Dilemma Your partner is dying from a rare disease. Luckily, a cure has recently been invented, by one pharmacist who lives close to you. This pharmacist is selling the cure for ten times the amount it cost him to make it. You try to raise the money, but even borrowing from friends and taking a loan from the bank, you can only raise half the amount. You go to the pharmacist and offer to pay him half now and half later, but he refuses, saying that he invented the cure and is determined to make money off it. You beg him to sell it cheaper as your partner will die before you can raise the full amount, but he still refuses. You believe you could break into his store one night after he has gone home and steal the cure. This would definitely save your partner, although you might be arrested for the crime. READ MORE HERE The Heinz Dilemma Should Heinz break into the pharmacy to steal the cure for his wife? Why or why not? KOHLBERG’S SIX STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT Kohlberg's stages of moral development are stages of moral competency to explain the development of moral/ethical reasoning. Lawrence Kohlberg, University of Chicago, 1958 THE STAGES ARE DIVIDED INTO THREE LEVELS PostConventional Pre-Conventional Conventional Especially common in children (although adults can also exhibit this level of reasoning) Typical of adolescents and adults Also known as the principled level, Judge the morality of actions by comparing these actions to societal views and expectations Judge the morality of actions by using ethical reasoning Third and fourth stages of moral development Fifth and sixth stage of moral development Judge the morality of an action by its direct consequences First and second stages of moral development Purely concerned with the self (egocentric) Laws are valid if they are based in justice PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: THE HEINZ DILEMMA & KOHLBERG’S SIX STAGES LEVEL 1: PRE-CONVENTIONAL Stage 1 Obedience And Punishment Orientation “Heinz should not steal the medicine, because he will consequently be put in prison.” Stage 2 Self-Interest Orientation “Heinz should steal the medicine, because he will be much happier if he saves his wife, even if he will have to serve a prison sentence.” LEVEL 2: CONVENTIONAL Stage 3 Interpersonal Accord And Conformity “Heinz should steal the medicine, because his wife expects it; he wants to be a good husband.” Stage 4 Authority And Social-Order Maintaining Orientation “Heinz should not steal the medicine, because the law prohibits stealing making it illegal.” LEVEL 3: POST-CONVENTIONAL Stage 5 Social Contract Orientation Stage 6 Universal Ethical Principles “Heinz should steal the medicine, because everyone has a right to choose life, regardless of the law. Or: Heinz should not steal the medicine, because the scientist has a right to fair compensation.” “Heinz should steal the medicine, because saving a human life is a more fundamental value than the property rights of another person. Or: Heinz should not steal the medicine, because others may need the medicine just as badly, and their lives are equally significant.” TIPS FOR MAKING ETHICAL DECISIONS, USING ETHICAL REASONING Understand the problem you are faced with, and any related facts Know the parties involved Make yourself aware of possible alternatives to the situation Understand how your decision will be implemented, and who/how it will affect Consider your knowledge of ethical practices and how they apply to this decision Term: Computer Ethics The analysis of the social impact of computer technology, and the formulation of policies for the ethical use of such technology The analysis of the values of human actions influenced by computer technology; computer influence on human actions WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO STUDY COMPUTER ETHICS? In modern day society, we use computer technology and computing devices every day by choice Most professions and work industries require at least a minimum use of computers and computer technology of their workers In more ways than one computers and their technology have become a part of how we live our lives PRACTICE KAHOOT GAME https://create.kahoot.it/creator/6822a829-0b13-4184-ae095ef3d5ec1eb9 REQUIRED READINGS Textbook: Kizza, J. M. (2023). Ethical and social issues in the information age. 7th Edition. ISBN 978-3-03124862-7 CHAPTER 2 References/Resources Images: https://pixabay.com/ wikipedia.com psychologytoday.com References: Ducksters. (2022). Ancient Greek Philosophers for Kids. Ducksters. Retrieved from https://www.ducksters.com/history/ancient_greek_philosophers.php Kizza, J. M. (2023). Ethical and social issues in the information age. 7th Edition. ISBN 978-3-031-24862-7 Krague, H. (2023). Carl Sagan. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Carl-Sagan Slawson, L. (2022 ). Plato and his theory of the forms. Owlcation. https://owlcation.com/ Resources: Teacherspayteachers.com https://www.psychologynoteshq.com/kohlbergstheory/