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D333 Study Guide
Section 2
Module 1 An Overview of Ethics
Fiction, Chapter 1
Define the following terms:
- Normative statement: Expresses a value judgment about right or wrong.
- Descriptive statement: Describe facts without making judgments.
- Ethical framework: A set of principles guiding decisions on what is morally right or
wrong.
Why is fostering good business ethics (also known as Corporate Social
Responsibility or CSR) crucial? Because it enhances the company's reputation, builds
customer trust, and ensures long-term sustainability.
What are three basic/perennial problems in ethics discussed in the chapter?
1. The dilemma of allocating scarce resources.
2. The challenge of choosing between multiple desirable outcomes or goals that
conflict with each other.
3. Differences in opinions about what is good and how to achieve it.
What trends have increased the risk that information technology will be used in an
unethical manner?
• Rapid Technological advancements
• Increased data collection
• Globalization of technology
What is the invisibility factor of computing technologies, as described by James
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Moor? List the three issues stemming from this factor.
1. Complexity of technology: Users not understanding how technology works
2. Pervasiveness: Users are not aware of the embedded technology that comes with
usage
3. Difficulty anticipating consequences: It’s hard to predict the impacts of new
technologies.
Why does the chapter argue that computing professionals are responsible for considering
ethical issues? Because professionals design and deploy systems that impact society.
They must consider ethical implications so they don’t cause harm.
Define “Moral imagination,” which involves being aware of potential impacts when making
decisions.
What does the chapter say about the role of professional societies in articulating ethical
norms for a field? Professional societies create ethical codes to guide practitioners,
offering principles and ensuring standards.
What is the Hippocratic Oath, and how does it serve as an example of a professional
code of ethics? It is a pledge by medical professionals to practice medicine ethically,
focusing on the wellness of the patients.
Module 2 Introduction to Ethical Frameworks
From Computing and Technology Ethics: Engaging Through Science
Fiction, Chapter 2
Define the following terms:
- Habitus Ingrained habits and dispositions from life experiences.
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- Practical wisdom Is the ability to make good decisions based on experience and
context.
- Heuristics of fear: Make short decisions based on the fear that affects a person.
Briefly describe the core focus of each of the four ethical frameworks:
Deontology focuses on adherence to moral duties and doing what is right.
Utilitarianism Aims to maximize overall happiness.
Consequentialism Evaluates decisions based on the outcomes.
Communitarianism Emphasizes community goals and social bonds over individual
autonomy.
Virtue Ethics Focuses on the moral character of the decision-maker rather than the
actions themselves or their outcomes.
How does virtue ethics differ from deontology and utilitarianism in its approach to
ethical decision-making? Unlike deontology and utilitarianism, it focuses on personal
moral decisions without considering actions or outcomes.
What is the principle of utility in utilitarianism? What are some challenges in applying
this principle? Seeks to maximize the overall happiness of the majority. Challenges are that
happiness is subjective, and it can justify harming minorities for the majority’s benefit.
How does communitarianism view the relationship between individuals and their
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communities? How does this differ from other frameworks? It emphasizes the importance
of the community and social ties in shaping individuals' identities and values. It contracts
with frameworks that prioritize individual rights or abstract principles.
What are the main criticisms of traditional ethical frameworks that led to the
development of responsibility ethics? Traditional frameworks often overlook systemic
issues, power imbalances, and the complexity of real-world situations.
What is the Capability Approach, and how does it evaluate individual actions and social
policies? It evaluates how well people's resources and opportunities enable them to
achieve their desired functions and well-being.
What is emotional labor, and why is it essential in feminist ethics? It refers to managing and
expressing emotions as part of one’s job and life and always smiling, even if you are sad.
How does the chapter suggest that studying multiple ethical frameworks can benefit
our understanding and application of ethics? Studying multiple frameworks provides a
more nuanced understanding of ethical issues by offering different perspectives and
criteria for evaluating decisions.
Module 3 Ethics for IT Workers and IT Users
Define the following terms:
- Profession Is an occupation requiring specialized education, training, and expertise and
is often governed by a code of ethics.
- Conflict of interest A conflict of interest occurs when a professional’s interests or
relationships interfere with their ability to perform their duties impartially.
- Licensing Is granting individuals official permission to practice a profession.
- Certification Is a formal process by which a professional verifies that an individual has
met specific qualifications.
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D333 Study Guide
Section 2
Module 1 An Overview of Ethics
Fiction, Chapter 1
Define the following terms:
- Normative statement: Expresses a value judgment about right or wrong.
- Descriptive statement: Describe facts without making judgments.
- Ethical framework: A set of principles guiding decisions on what is morally right or
wrong.
Why is fostering good business ethics (also known as Corporate Social
Responsibility or CSR) crucial? Because it enhances the company's reputation, builds
customer trust, and ensures long-term sustainability.
What are three basic/perennial problems in ethics discussed in the chapter?
1. The dilemma of allocating scarce resources.
2. The challenge of choosing between multiple desirable outcomes or goals that
conflict with each other.
3. Differences in opinions about what is good and how to achieve it.
What trends have increased the risk that information technology will be used in an
unethical manner?
• Rapid Technological advancements
• Increased data collection
• Globalization of technology
What is the invisibility factor of computing technologies, as described by James
Downloaded by damaris mutuli ()
, lOMoARcPSD|46240884
Moor? List the three issues stemming from this factor.
1. Complexity of technology: Users not understanding how technology works
2. Pervasiveness: Users are not aware of the embedded technology that comes with
usage
3. Difficulty anticipating consequences: It’s hard to predict the impacts of new
technologies.
Why does the chapter argue that computing professionals are responsible for considering
ethical issues? Because professionals design and deploy systems that impact society.
They must consider ethical implications so they don’t cause harm.
Define “Moral imagination,” which involves being aware of potential impacts when making
decisions.
What does the chapter say about the role of professional societies in articulating ethical
norms for a field? Professional societies create ethical codes to guide practitioners,
offering principles and ensuring standards.
What is the Hippocratic Oath, and how does it serve as an example of a professional
code of ethics? It is a pledge by medical professionals to practice medicine ethically,
focusing on the wellness of the patients.
Module 2 Introduction to Ethical Frameworks
From Computing and Technology Ethics: Engaging Through Science
Fiction, Chapter 2
Define the following terms:
- Habitus Ingrained habits and dispositions from life experiences.
Downloaded by damaris mutuli ()
, lOMoARcPSD|46240884
- Practical wisdom Is the ability to make good decisions based on experience and
context.
- Heuristics of fear: Make short decisions based on the fear that affects a person.
Briefly describe the core focus of each of the four ethical frameworks:
Deontology focuses on adherence to moral duties and doing what is right.
Utilitarianism Aims to maximize overall happiness.
Consequentialism Evaluates decisions based on the outcomes.
Communitarianism Emphasizes community goals and social bonds over individual
autonomy.
Virtue Ethics Focuses on the moral character of the decision-maker rather than the
actions themselves or their outcomes.
How does virtue ethics differ from deontology and utilitarianism in its approach to
ethical decision-making? Unlike deontology and utilitarianism, it focuses on personal
moral decisions without considering actions or outcomes.
What is the principle of utility in utilitarianism? What are some challenges in applying
this principle? Seeks to maximize the overall happiness of the majority. Challenges are that
happiness is subjective, and it can justify harming minorities for the majority’s benefit.
How does communitarianism view the relationship between individuals and their
Downloaded by damaris mutuli ()
, lOMoARcPSD|46240884
communities? How does this differ from other frameworks? It emphasizes the importance
of the community and social ties in shaping individuals' identities and values. It contracts
with frameworks that prioritize individual rights or abstract principles.
What are the main criticisms of traditional ethical frameworks that led to the
development of responsibility ethics? Traditional frameworks often overlook systemic
issues, power imbalances, and the complexity of real-world situations.
What is the Capability Approach, and how does it evaluate individual actions and social
policies? It evaluates how well people's resources and opportunities enable them to
achieve their desired functions and well-being.
What is emotional labor, and why is it essential in feminist ethics? It refers to managing and
expressing emotions as part of one’s job and life and always smiling, even if you are sad.
How does the chapter suggest that studying multiple ethical frameworks can benefit
our understanding and application of ethics? Studying multiple frameworks provides a
more nuanced understanding of ethical issues by offering different perspectives and
criteria for evaluating decisions.
Module 3 Ethics for IT Workers and IT Users
Define the following terms:
- Profession Is an occupation requiring specialized education, training, and expertise and
is often governed by a code of ethics.
- Conflict of interest A conflict of interest occurs when a professional’s interests or
relationships interfere with their ability to perform their duties impartially.
- Licensing Is granting individuals official permission to practice a profession.
- Certification Is a formal process by which a professional verifies that an individual has
met specific qualifications.
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