Review Questions & Answers

 

1. What is professional ethics?

 

One of the three main perspectives of a computer ethics, which can be defined and analyzed. Moreover, it suggests that every professional has their own ethics.

 

2. What is a computer professional?

 

People like us. Well of course we are still students but when we graduate, we become one. Computer professionals are you programmers, analyst, and what not.

 

3. Do computer professionals have special moral responsibilities that ordinary computer users do not have? If so, what are some of those special responsibilities?

 

I think more or less its practically the same but there are some instances where computer professionals have their own moral responsibilities. For example, maintaing a system. It's not something that lets say a musician does or a painter. ex. Maintain their music or maintain their paintings. In a way there are similarities but the two differ.

 

4. Why is it useful to limit our discussion of moral issues affecting computer professionals to issues affecting software engineers and engineering teams, computer science instructor, and IT support professionals, as opposed to professionals such as lawyers and accountants who also use computers and why may work for computer organizations?

 

Because as a student I am in an IT course so its very normal to stay on track regrading computers rather than moral issues of medicine or what not. Moreover, Each has their own morals. Of course there is still morals in general but we focus on morals regarding computers.

 

5. How do Gotterbarn, Miller, and Rogerson propose that we define the profession of software engineering? Who is included in a software engineering team?

 

A computer professional could be defined in a way that would exclude professionals in the fields of communicatons and library science, yet still include professionals whose computer-specific job descriptions extend beyond software engineering per se. In a software engineering team, they can be thought of those people who contribute direct participation o the analysis, specification, design, development, etc.

 

6. What are professional codes of ethics, and what functions do these codes serve?

 

Professional codes of ethics are like guidlines helping professionals stay on track and do their job well by motivating them. This code is for professionals who have the power to develop IT infrastructures as they are an important part of our lives in a way.

 

7. List some of the benefits of professional code of ethics. Describe some of the criticism of these professional codes.

 

The bendefits of the Professional Code of Ethics are to inspire, guide, educate, and discipline members. Codes inspire by providing a positive stimulus for ethical conduct. They provide helpful guidance and advice for individuals when they confront situations that are morlly complex.

 

8. Why does John Ladd believes that professional codes of ethics rest on a series of errors that are both intellectual and moral? Describe the arguments he uses to support his position.

 

John Ladd has criticized ethical codes on slightly diff. grounds, arguing that these codes rest on a series of confusions that are both intellectual and moral. The role of ethics in general, he argues, is to appraise, criticize, and even defend the principles, rules, and regulations, but not to dictate or punish them.

 

9. Explain Don Gotterbarn's three-fold distinction: codes of ethics, codes of conduct, and codes of practice. Do Gotternbarn's distinctions help to eliminate any of the criticisms that have been raised against professional codes?

 

He describes code of ethics as "aspirational" because they often serve as mission statements for the profession and can thus provide vision objectives. Codes of conduct, on contrary, address the professional and the professional's attitude and behavior. Finally, code of practice relate to operational activities within a profession. I think so, yes it eliminates any of the criticisms that have been raised against professional codes.

 

10. How does the IEEE-CS/ACM Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice improve on earlier professional codes?

 

They use all their knowldege and tries to come up with a solution.

 

11. Do computer professionals have presumed, or prima facie, obligation to loyalty to their employers?

 

I think that loyalty may not be an obligation but I think that it is morally correct or right to be loyal or provide loyalty to people, especially your employer. Likewise, people who you are loyal to should have the same respect or loyalty to you.

 

12. Describe the arguments by Ronal Duska and John Ladd regarding employee loyalty.

 

Acc. to Duska, the question of loyalty arises only in special relationships that are based on mutual enrichment.

 

13. What exactly is whistle-blowing? Acc. to Michael Martin, what are the three general approaches that have been taken in analysis of whistle-blowing cases?

 

Whistle-blowing is simply a thing individuals do to get public attention.

 

The three gen. apporaches are:

 

-Condemned as an action taken by disloyal trouble makers who rat on their companies and undermine teamwork based on the hierarchy of authority within the corporation.

-Regarded as a tragedy to be avoided

-Affirmed unequivocally as an obligation that is paramount in certain circumstances where it overrides all other considerations, whatever the sacrifice involved in meeting it.

 

14. Describe De George's criteria for determining when one is required to blow the whistle as opposed to when one is permitted to do so. Are De George's criteria useful in making this disticntion?

 

These are the conditions:

 

1) The harm that will be done by the product to the public is serious and considerable.

2) The engineers have made their concerns known to their superiors

3) The engineers have received no satisfaction from their immediate supervisors, and they have exhausted the channels available within the corporation, including going to the board of directors.

4) The engineers have documented evidence that would convince a reasonable, impartial observer that his view of the situation is correct and the company policy is wrong.

5) There is strong evidence that making the information public will in fact prevent the threatened serious harm.

 

I think it depends on the person whetherhe or she finds the criteria useful. In my opinion, I think it could be useful.

 

15. In which ways do Gene James and Kenneth Alpern disagree with De George's model for whitsle-blowing?

 

Gene James believes that De George’s conditions that require to blow a whistle are too lenient. James suggests that an individual has a moral obligation to blow a whistle even when only three conditions of De George are met.

 

Kenneth Alpern on the other hand, argues that De George’s model lets engineers off too easily from their obligation to blow the whistle.

  

16. Describe John Ladd's argument in defense of De George's position on whistle -blowing.

 

De Geaorge has defenders who believe that whistle-blowing should only be required in extraordinary cases. John Ladd however, believes that requiring engineers to blow the whistle in nonextraordinary cases.

 

17. Why does Helen Nisssenbaum believe that the notion of accountability has been "systematically undermindes in the computer age"? How does she distinguish between accountability and responsibility?

 

Because she believes that responsibility, legal liablity and accountability are all under the context of computers. She distinguishes accountability ad responsibility by saying that responsibility is only a part of it while accountability is a broader concept than responsibility.

 

18. What does Nissenbaum mean by "problem of many hands" in a computing context?

 

Computer software are usually developed in large organizational settings. Many individuals are involved in making a software, not just the programmer. If something goes wrong somewhere or causes harm, it is difficult to determine who to blame because of the many people involved.

 

19. Why does Nissenbaum believe that it is important to distinguish between moral accountability and legal liability?

 

Because in a computer context, it is important to distinguish both moral accountability and liabilities.

 

20. Acc. to Don Gotterbarn, what is required for a model of risk analysis to be adequate in the software development process for safety-critical systems?

 

Gotternbarn concludes that unless adequate model for softwar dev is framed, we may be doomed to experiencing future computer malfunctions. What is required though is that it has to withstand or rather eliminate the two failure/defects in current models, which are 1. an overly narrow conception of risk and 2. a limited notion of system stakeholders.

 

 

Discussion Answers

 

1. I think that there is an advantage if there is a code. Although the problem is, some people may not agree with the code, so I suggest that a code be made that would satisfy everyone and woul be agreed upon by everyone. Having a code is like a guide as we have discussed in the review questions and I think it is really better having a code than not having one at all. Because I think that it could be chaotic without a code and people wouldn't know right from wrong, so having the code is as important as having the 10 commandments.

 

2. Yes, I do think that it s very much possible.

 

3. Well, for me, I think that even thoughI get astonished by the project objectives, I do think that I would still consider the project. Because for me, you'll never know what's right unless you know what's wrong. So, basically, I would take the job. Not just because of the benefits but also for the better of myself and the family. Although considering the matter of the family, taking this project will help in the future (if it becomes successful is attainable).

 

4. I wouldn't pursue the project because it is very dangerous and it can cause double or triple the damage as compared to refusing to pursue it. I think its as simple as that. Although like the management who insists and wants to continue, I think it depends also in the person. As for me, I would not dare to pursue it and would disagree with the management. Although it may ruin my career, I think its for the better and it facors almost everyone. Imagine the danger it could bring and it would be worse than refusing to do it.

 

5. I think that computer professionals should use their morals in decision making, especially when it comes to critical situations. I think its the best way to deal with it and would benefit most people. What is needed for the greater good must be done, not for the greater good of just you or the company.