Module 1: An Overview of Ethics
1. Define the following terms:
• Normative statement: A statement that provides an assessment of how things
should be rather than how they are. These statements are rooted in value
judgments about what is good or bad, permissible or forbidden. Example: "Being
kind is more important than being the most successful."
• Descriptive statement: A statement that describes how things are without making
a judgment about how they should be. Example: "The policy resulted in increased
efficiency but also caused job losses."
• Ethical framework: A structured approach or system used to analyze and resolve
ethical dilemmas. Ethical frameworks provide guiding principles for evaluating what
is right or wrong in a given situation.
2. Why is fostering good business ethics (also known as Corporate Social
Responsibility or CSR) important?
• Business ethics and CSR ensure that companies consider the well-being of all
stakeholders, including employees, customers, and society.
• Ethical behavior builds trust with consumers and partners.
• Prevents legal and reputational risks.
• Encourages long-term sustainability and responsible decision-making in business
operations.
3. What are three basic/perennial problems in ethics discussed in the chapter?
1. Limited Resources – Ethical dilemmas arise when demand exceeds availability,
such as deciding who receives life-saving treatment when resources are scarce.
2. Competing Kinds of Good – Individuals and societies must balance multiple,
sometimes conflicting, values. For example, prioritizing safety may conflict with
freedom of choice.
, 3. Different Ideas of What is Good – People may have different understandings of
what constitutes a "good" or ethical decision, leading to ethical debates and
disagreements.
4. Explain the misconception about ethics and self-interest described in the chapter.
How does the chapter argue against this view?
• Misconception: Ethical behavior always requires self-sacrifice, and acting ethically
means neglecting one's self-interest.
• Argument Against: Ethics does not demand complete selflessness. It is possible to
make choices that benefit both oneself and others. Ethical living often aligns with
long-term self-interest by fostering positive relationships, community trust, and
personal well-being.
5. What trends have increased the likelihood of unethical behavior?
• The invisibility factor of computing, which allows unethical actions to be hidden.
• The speed of technological change, leading to ethical “policy vacuums.”
• Corporate and societal pressures, which may incentivize unethical shortcuts.
• The global scale of digital interactions, increasing opportunities for fraud and
deception.
6. What trends have increased the risk that information technology will be used in an
unethical manner?
• Data collection and surveillance – The ability to track and store vast amounts of
personal data without user knowledge.
• Automation of decision-making – Ethical concerns arise when AI systems make
biased or unfair decisions.
• Rapid information dissemination – Fake news and misinformation can spread
quickly.
• Cybersecurity vulnerabilities – Weak security practices allow malicious actors to
exploit users and systems.
,7. What is the "invisibility factor" of computing technologies, as described by James
Moor? List the three issues stemming from this factor.
• The "invisibility factor" refers to how computing processes operate behind the
scenes, making unethical practices harder to detect.
Three issues arising from this:
o Invisible abuse – Users may be unaware of how their data is being exploited
(e.g., unauthorized data collection).
o Invisible programming values – Algorithms may reflect hidden biases in
their design.
o Invisible complexity – Some systems are so complex that no human can
fully understand or inspect them, leading to unforeseen ethical issues.
8. According to the chapter, what three specific changes have been brought about by
computer technologies? Briefly describe each.
1. Reproducibility – Digital information can be easily copied and shared, raising
ethical concerns about intellectual property and privacy.
2. Information Flow – The internet allows rapid, many-to-many communication,
influencing the spread of misinformation and digital discourse.
3. Identity Conditions – Computing technology has altered how individuals present
and protect their identities, creating challenges in privacy, surveillance, and
anonymity.
9. Why does the chapter argue that computing professionals have a particular
responsibility to consider ethical issues?
• Computing professionals design and implement systems that affect society at
large.
• Their work influences privacy, security, and social interactions.
• They must anticipate how their technology can be misused.
• Ethical considerations ensure that technology benefits society rather than causing
harm.
, 10. Identify two advantages of using stories/science fiction to examine ethical issues,
as discussed in the chapter.
1. Engagement with Complex Scenarios – Stories immerse readers in real-world-like
ethical dilemmas, making abstract ethical problems more relatable and thought-
provoking.
2. Exploration of Future Consequences – Science fiction allows examination of the
long-term ethical implications of emerging technologies in a way that case studies
may not.
12. Define the following term:
• Moral imagination: The ability to envision alternative possibilities and perspectives
in ethical dilemmas, allowing for deeper analysis of potential consequences and
solutions.
15. What does the chapter say about the role of professional societies in articulating
ethical norms for a field?
• Professional societies establish codes of ethics that guide the behavior of
practitioners.
• They help professionals anticipate ethical issues before they arise.
• They encourage multidisciplinary collaboration to address ethical challenges.
• Societies such as the ACM and IEEE provide guidelines for responsible technology
use.
16. What is the Hippocratic Oath, and how does it serve as an example of a
professional code of ethics?
• The Hippocratic Oath is a traditional ethical code for medical professionals,
emphasizing principles like non-maleficence (“do no harm”).
• It serves as an example of how professional fields establish ethical commitments to
protect the public.
• Similar ethical guidelines exist in computing ethics, ensuring professionals
prioritize societal well-being when designing and implementing technology.
1. Define the following terms:
• Normative statement: A statement that provides an assessment of how things
should be rather than how they are. These statements are rooted in value
judgments about what is good or bad, permissible or forbidden. Example: "Being
kind is more important than being the most successful."
• Descriptive statement: A statement that describes how things are without making
a judgment about how they should be. Example: "The policy resulted in increased
efficiency but also caused job losses."
• Ethical framework: A structured approach or system used to analyze and resolve
ethical dilemmas. Ethical frameworks provide guiding principles for evaluating what
is right or wrong in a given situation.
2. Why is fostering good business ethics (also known as Corporate Social
Responsibility or CSR) important?
• Business ethics and CSR ensure that companies consider the well-being of all
stakeholders, including employees, customers, and society.
• Ethical behavior builds trust with consumers and partners.
• Prevents legal and reputational risks.
• Encourages long-term sustainability and responsible decision-making in business
operations.
3. What are three basic/perennial problems in ethics discussed in the chapter?
1. Limited Resources – Ethical dilemmas arise when demand exceeds availability,
such as deciding who receives life-saving treatment when resources are scarce.
2. Competing Kinds of Good – Individuals and societies must balance multiple,
sometimes conflicting, values. For example, prioritizing safety may conflict with
freedom of choice.
, 3. Different Ideas of What is Good – People may have different understandings of
what constitutes a "good" or ethical decision, leading to ethical debates and
disagreements.
4. Explain the misconception about ethics and self-interest described in the chapter.
How does the chapter argue against this view?
• Misconception: Ethical behavior always requires self-sacrifice, and acting ethically
means neglecting one's self-interest.
• Argument Against: Ethics does not demand complete selflessness. It is possible to
make choices that benefit both oneself and others. Ethical living often aligns with
long-term self-interest by fostering positive relationships, community trust, and
personal well-being.
5. What trends have increased the likelihood of unethical behavior?
• The invisibility factor of computing, which allows unethical actions to be hidden.
• The speed of technological change, leading to ethical “policy vacuums.”
• Corporate and societal pressures, which may incentivize unethical shortcuts.
• The global scale of digital interactions, increasing opportunities for fraud and
deception.
6. What trends have increased the risk that information technology will be used in an
unethical manner?
• Data collection and surveillance – The ability to track and store vast amounts of
personal data without user knowledge.
• Automation of decision-making – Ethical concerns arise when AI systems make
biased or unfair decisions.
• Rapid information dissemination – Fake news and misinformation can spread
quickly.
• Cybersecurity vulnerabilities – Weak security practices allow malicious actors to
exploit users and systems.
,7. What is the "invisibility factor" of computing technologies, as described by James
Moor? List the three issues stemming from this factor.
• The "invisibility factor" refers to how computing processes operate behind the
scenes, making unethical practices harder to detect.
Three issues arising from this:
o Invisible abuse – Users may be unaware of how their data is being exploited
(e.g., unauthorized data collection).
o Invisible programming values – Algorithms may reflect hidden biases in
their design.
o Invisible complexity – Some systems are so complex that no human can
fully understand or inspect them, leading to unforeseen ethical issues.
8. According to the chapter, what three specific changes have been brought about by
computer technologies? Briefly describe each.
1. Reproducibility – Digital information can be easily copied and shared, raising
ethical concerns about intellectual property and privacy.
2. Information Flow – The internet allows rapid, many-to-many communication,
influencing the spread of misinformation and digital discourse.
3. Identity Conditions – Computing technology has altered how individuals present
and protect their identities, creating challenges in privacy, surveillance, and
anonymity.
9. Why does the chapter argue that computing professionals have a particular
responsibility to consider ethical issues?
• Computing professionals design and implement systems that affect society at
large.
• Their work influences privacy, security, and social interactions.
• They must anticipate how their technology can be misused.
• Ethical considerations ensure that technology benefits society rather than causing
harm.
, 10. Identify two advantages of using stories/science fiction to examine ethical issues,
as discussed in the chapter.
1. Engagement with Complex Scenarios – Stories immerse readers in real-world-like
ethical dilemmas, making abstract ethical problems more relatable and thought-
provoking.
2. Exploration of Future Consequences – Science fiction allows examination of the
long-term ethical implications of emerging technologies in a way that case studies
may not.
12. Define the following term:
• Moral imagination: The ability to envision alternative possibilities and perspectives
in ethical dilemmas, allowing for deeper analysis of potential consequences and
solutions.
15. What does the chapter say about the role of professional societies in articulating
ethical norms for a field?
• Professional societies establish codes of ethics that guide the behavior of
practitioners.
• They help professionals anticipate ethical issues before they arise.
• They encourage multidisciplinary collaboration to address ethical challenges.
• Societies such as the ACM and IEEE provide guidelines for responsible technology
use.
16. What is the Hippocratic Oath, and how does it serve as an example of a
professional code of ethics?
• The Hippocratic Oath is a traditional ethical code for medical professionals,
emphasizing principles like non-maleficence (“do no harm”).
• It serves as an example of how professional fields establish ethical commitments to
protect the public.
• Similar ethical guidelines exist in computing ethics, ensuring professionals
prioritize societal well-being when designing and implementing technology.
