Sample Essay On Ethics And Computing

Ethics in Computer technology is a function of values that comes with technological evolution. Guidelines and principles that enable human beings to preserve values is what we refer to as ethics. Based on the utilitarian principle, I propose to argue that there are no inherent immoral or moral computer rules or acts. Three approaches: Deontological, emotivism, and utilitarianism explores ethics in details. These approaches are either relativistic, absolutistic or perform cost benefits analysis to arrive at an absolute decision (Deborah, 2009).
Utilitarian approach describing the principle of computer ethics argues that computers pose different accounts of standard moral dilemmas and moral complications, aggravating the old problems, and compelling us to apply conventional moral standards in unexplored realms (Duquenoy, 2009). A computing moral or rule can only be deemed as being wrong or right based on the outcome or results. Any other computer action which get the most out of the user or a society by improving standards of living and satisfaction and minimizes suffering and pain can be considered as morally and ethically right and just.
Deontological ethics, on the other hand, argues that a computer rule should be carried out for sake of that duty and its outcome is usually a function of the fundamental moral characteristic of that specific rule (Ermann, 2003). Emotivism perspective argues that technological advances that seem to eliminate traditional arguments or rules are upright if we feel good about them or evil if we feel immoral (Mosser,2010).
It can then be concluded that computer ethics is a function of computer values; it’s about determining what the technological morals carries with it and its worth. Computer ethics is noted to examine and classify the impact of computer technology on human health, knowledge, freedom, wealth, security, privacy, opportunity and self-fulfilment.

References

Duquenoy, P., Jones, S., & Blundell, B. G. (2008). Ethical, legal and professional issues in computing. Australia: Thomson.
Ermann, M. D., & Shauf, M. S. (2003). Computers, ethics, and society. New York: Oxford university press.
Forester, T., & Morrison, P. (1995). Computer ethics: Cautionary tales and ethical dilemmas in computing. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.
Himma, K. E., & Tavani, H. T. (2008). The handbook of information and computer ethics. Hoboken, N.J: Wiley.
Johnson, D. G., & Miller, K. (2009). Computer ethics: Analyzing information technology. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Prentice Hall.
Stamatellos, G. (2007). Computer ethics: A global perspective. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.