ETHC303 Ethical and Social Aspects of Computing

Morality

• A system of rules about right and wrong

• Tells people what they should and shouldn’t do

• Exists to prevent harm and promote human well-being

• Example rules:

  • “Do not steal”

  • “Do not harm others”

Ethics

• The study of morality

• Uses logic and reasoning to examine moral beliefs

• Asks why something is right or wrong

Components of a Moral System

1. Rules of Conduct

• Directives (micro level): “Do not lie”

• Social policies (macro level): “Privacy should be respected”
  
  

2. Principles of Evaluation

• Justice

• Fairness

• Respect for others

Four Features

A moral system is:

• Public: everyone knows the rules

• Informal: not like laws, no official judges

• Rational: based on logic

• Impartial: applies equally to everyone

Relativism

Depends on person or culture

Divine Command

God’s commands

Kantianism (Deontology)

Duty & rules

Utilitarianism

Consequences

Social Contract

Rules we agree on

Virtue Ethics

Character

Kantianism (Deontology)

Core Ideas

• Morality is about duty, not consequences

• Only thing always good = Good Will

• Actions are right if:

  • Done from duty

  • Can be universalized

    
    

Categorical Imperative

1⃣ First Formulation

If everyone did it, would it still work?

• Truth → ✔ universalizable

• Lying → ❌ destroys trust

2⃣ Second Formulation

Treat people as ends, not just means

• Never use people just to get what you want

Perfect duties

A perfect duty is an absolute, unconditional obligation that must always be followed without exception. These duties are binding in all circumstances.

Imperfect duties

An imperfect duty is a moral obligation that is more flexible and allows for discretion in how it is fulfilled. These duties are still important but not as rigid as perfect duties.

Perfect Duty Characteristics:

• No exceptions

• Negative Duties: Often framed as duties not to do something

  • (e.g., "Do not lie," "Do not steal").

• Universalizable: These duties must be able to be applied

• universally without contradiction

Example: The duty not to lie. According to Kant, lying is always morally wrong, regardless of the situation or consequences

Imperfect duties Characteristics:

• Flexible: There is some way in how and when the duty is fulfilled.

• Positive Duties: Often involve duties to do something (e.g., "Help others," "Cultivate your talents").

• Contextual: These duties are generally context-dependent and allow for prioritization based on circumstances.

Perfect vs Imperfect duties

Summary of Differences:

1. Rigidity: Perfect duties are strict and must always be followed, while imperfect duties allow for some flexibility.

2. Form: Perfect duties are often negative (what you must not do), whereas imperfect duties are often positive (what you should do).

3. Application: Perfect duties apply universally and without exception, while imperfect duties are context-dependent and allow for personal judgment in their fulfillment.

Case for Kantianism

• This theory is rational because the act is based on logic.

• Produces universal moral guidelines applied to all people for all of history.

• Treats all persons as moral equals i.e. people in similar situations should be treated in similar ways.

• Workable ethical theory

Case Against Kantianism

In a conflict between a perfect duty and an imperfect duty, perfect duty prevails

In a conflict between two perfect duties, no solution

Kantianism allows no exceptions to perfect duties

Kantianism

Act so that you treat both yourself and other people as ends in themselves and never only as a means to an end.”

Workable Theory because the act is based on logic and produces universal guidelines.

Kantianism is considered

a workable ethical theory