Introduc)onToComputersandSocietyCSC301Fall2016

HowardRosenthal

LessonGoals� Describethiscourse,includingitsgoalsandmethods� Providesomehistoricalbackgroundintoethics� Providesometoolsandmethodsforstudyingethicalissuesandcomingtosomeconclusions

� Provideanoverviewofsomeoftheethicalissuesandproblemsassociatedwithadvancesincomputerscience

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ClassDescrip,on(1)�  Thisclassisintendedtoextendthebackgroundandknowledgeofstudents,allowingthemtobetterunderstandsomeoftheethicalandlegalissuesassociatedwithworkinginthecomputerfield�  When you start out in industry or government you will be told

very explicitly what to do or not do – i.e. export laws �  As you grow into management or other decision making

positions you are sometimes forced to make difficult decisions �  As you will learn in this class, the answers aren’t always clear

and straight forward �  Some of the issues you will be deciding on in the future are not

yet issues today – i.e. Artificial Intelligence �  If a machine gains consciousness must it be given the rights of a

human being? �  If it is conscious can you turn it off? Is that murder or going to

sleep? (see 2001- A Space Odyssey)

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ClassDescrip,on(2)�  Thisclassisgoingtobehighlyinteractive

�  You will need to participate, present and debate in a clear, logical and well-prepared way. You need to back up your arguments with facts.

�  There will be lots of reading and writing in this class, starting with the text “A Gift of Fire”, but not ending there �  You will need to read ahead in this class in order to be better

prepared for the lectures �  This book does often take a libertarian approach, but we will try

to steer away from political issues for the most part. �  However, depending on the ethical approach you adopt, you

may come up with different conclusions �  I will be introducing computer technology topics as we go

along in order to provide additional background. That will allow for greater depth in our discussions

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ClassGroundRules�  Ethics,religionandpoliticscansometimesgetmixedup,withour

religiousbeliefsand/orethicalbeliefsdrivingourpoliticalbeliefs�  Thesesubjectscansometimesgeneratestrongreactions

�  Thereforewehavesomerules�  Respecteachothersopinions�  Presentyourargumentslogicallyandsuccinctlysothatotherscan

haveachance–thinkandmaybejotafewnotesbeforespeaking�  Don’tinterruptaclassmate,youwillhaveachancetorespond�  Don’tdenigrateanotherclassmate’sposition�  Noinsults,cursingoruseofinappropriatelanguage�  TheProfessorwillcontrolthelengthofanydiscussion,andtheorder

ofspeaking�  Ifyoufeelthatyouarebeingtreatedunfairlyinanyway,letthe

Professorknowsothatthesituationcanberemedied�  Remember,wecomefrommanydifferentbackgroundsandmayreact

tothesamesituationsorargumentsincompletelydifferentway

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Homework�  Homeworkwillinclude

�  Afactualreviewofthechapter�  Answerscanbefoundinthetext�  Pleaseprovideexactanswers�  Iwillposttheanswerstothispartonline

�  Willincludemultiplepossibleanswers,eventhoughyoumaybeaskedtosupplyonlyoneortwo

�  Additionalessaysorpresentations�  Gradedonlogicalthoughtandconvincingarguments�  Whenconclusionsarereached,shoulddescribehowtheywere

reached�  Mayincludereferencestotheethicalframeworkusedincomingto

yourconclusion�  Mayrequiresomeadditionalresearch

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EthicalandMoralDilemmas� Everytechnologybringsbothbenefitsandproblems

� Moralissues�  Crime�  Privacy(obviousandnotsoobvious)

�  Canyousecretlytakepicturesofsomeone(Obvioussometimes,butwedohavemachinestakingfilminalmosteverystore)

�  OnceyoupostallyourinformationonFacebook(Notsoobvious)

�  Postinguntrueormisleadinginformation

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EthicalandMoralDilemmas–Some)meFic)onReflectsTheRealWorld–TheMar)an�  TheheadofNASAdecidedtosendanemergencypodwithoutpropertestinginordertomeetthescheduledlaunchdate�  Thepodblewupduetoanunanticipatedproblem�  Intheendthedecisionmakerwasnotpunished

�  TheastronautmanagersentsurreptitiousdirectionstothecrewtoreroutetheshipbacktoMars,forcingNASA’shand�  Thedecisionledtoasuccessfulrecovery�  Themanagerwasretiredaftertheshipreturnedsuccessfully

�  Thecrewdecidedtofollowthesecretinstructions,by-passingNASAdespitealonglistofrisks�  Ledtoasuccessfulmission�  Unclearwhattheimpactwasonindividualcareers

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Isbuckingthesystemeverethical?Canotherconsiderationsforceyoutoviolateprocedures?Aretheseethicalissues?

SomeKeyEthicalIssues�  MetadataCollection

�  Metadatadescribesotherdata.Itprovidesinformationaboutacertainitem'scontent�  Animagemayincludemetadatathatdescribeshowlargethepictureis,thecolordepth,the

imageresolution,whentheimagewascreated,andotherdata.�  Atextdocument'smetadatamaycontaininformationabouthowlongthedocumentis,who

theauthoris,whenthedocumentwaswritten,andashortsummaryofthedocument.�  TheNSAhastriedtousemetadatatrackingandcomplexanalyticalformulasto

identifypotentialsecuritythreats,butthisabilityhaslatelybeenrestrictedbyCongress

�  NetworkNeutrality�  Canyougiveprioritytopayingservices?

�  SearchEnginePrioritization�  Canadvertiserspaytobelistedearlier,andmustthesepaymentsbe

disclosed�  Privacy�  Softwareorcontenttheft,plagiarism,copying,sharing�  Bullying,shaming�  Viruses–goodandbaduses–whathappensiftheygetloose

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ThePaceofChange�  Whentherewereafewmega-industriesthepaceofchangewasslower

�  Therewasactuallyatermcalledplannedobsolescence,wherecompaniesslowlyintroducednewtechnologiesoveranextendedtimeframe–theautoindustrywasfamousforthis

�  Todaythepaceofchangeissofast,drivenbycomputersandothertechnologies–thatwholeindustriesareoftenwipedoutintheblinkofaneye�  Amazon(booksandmovies)andNetflix(movies)-CompanieslikeBlockbuster,andmost

bookstoreswerewipedoutalmostovernight.�  AppleiPodsandiPhoneschangedthemusicandtelecommunicationindustries–mobile

phoneswentfromluxurytonecessityinafewyears,bothintheU.S.andaroundtheworld,eveninthepoorestofcountries

�  On-lineshopping–BothSportsAuthorityandSportsChalethavedeclaredbankruptcy?�  Information–Whobuysencyclopediasanymore?�  On-linebankingandATMs–rapidaccessbutachangedbankingindustry�  Automatedinventoriesandsupplychain–cutsoutmanyreorderingactivities,automates

inventorymaintenance

�  Internet–accesstoeverythingandworld-wideconnectivitybutalso:�  CrimeandTheft�  Spying�  Pornography

�  E-mail–Greatcommunicationtoolbutledto�  Phishing,spam,spoofing,scams

�  Anengineofequality�  Everyonecangainequalaccesstotheworldwithalittleeffort�  Theworldhasgonefromshortwaveradiotoinstantaneousaccess

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Baase’sThemes(1)�  Oldproblemsinanewcontext

�  Regulatinggambling,protectingcopyrights,….�  Adaptingtonewtechnology

�  Howwelive,howweteach,etiquetteontheInternet,businesspractices

�  Solutionstoproblems�  Newandvariedsourcesforsolutions�  Solutionsmaycomefromhardware,software,legalsystem,modes

ofoperation,etc.�  ThereachoftheInternet

�  Dictatorshipstrytocontroltheflowofinformation,butitismuchhardertodoinaninterconnectedworld

�  Trade-offsindecisionmaking�  Privacyvs.thelaw,technologyvs.people,etc.

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Baase’sThemes(2)�  Perfectionasadirection,notanoption

�  Trade-offsareusuallybetweenimperfectoptions�  Differencesbetweenpersonalchoices,businesspoliciesandlaw,none

ofwhichmayinvolveactualethicalchoices,althoughtheymaybeinformedbythem�  Personalchoices–basedonourownpreferences–whatwebuy,

wherewework,whatwewatchonTV,howwevote,whatorganizationswebelongto

�  Businesspolicies–goalsofthecompany,fiduciaryresponsibilities,investmentstrategies,etc.

�  Laws–imposeddecisionswithfarreachingconsequences,mustbecarefulinpassinglawsthatimposeyourvaluesonotherswhomaynotagree

�  Note:Theauthorseemstohaveasomewhatlibertarianviewoftheuseoflaw.Othersmayviewthelawdifferently,wantingtoshapepersonalchoicesthroughtheforceoflaw.

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Ethics�  DictionaryDefinition

�  Thebranchofphilosophythatdealswithmorality.Ethicsisconcernedwithdistinguishingbetweengoodandevilintheworld,betweenrightandwronghumanactions,andbetweenvirtuousandnon-virtuouscharacteristicsofpeople.

�  BaaseDefinition�  Whatdoesitmeantodotherightthing,giventhatpeopleare

rationalandfreetomakechoices�  Manytimespeopleareencumberedintheirchoicesandthisleadstoabreakdownintheirthinking�  Classicexample:TheChallengertookoffoutsideofthelaunch

parameters,theO-ringfailedandtheshipblewup�  Peoplewereunderbusiness,financial,careerandpoliticalpressures

thatcloudedtheirjudgment�  Oneofthehardestthingstodoistostepoutsidetheboxofallthese

pressurescomeupwithasolutionthatismadeinatrulyfreemanner�  Sometimessocialnormsvarygreatlyfromethicalstandards

�  Slavery,segregation,holocausts

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SeeReference:WhatisEthics

EthicalTheories-Deontology�  EmmanuelKant(1724–1804)wasaleadingproponent�  Basedontheconceptofabsoluterules,whethertheyleadtogoodorevil,thisiswhyitiscalledthenonconsequentialistoractbasedethics

�  Rulescanbeuniversallyapplied�  Logicorreasondeterminesethicalbehavior–“Respectthereasoninyou”

�  Kantarguedthatitwasnottheconsequencesofactionsthatmakethemrightorwrongbutthemotivesofthepersonwhocarriesouttheaction.

�  Kanttooktheabsolutistviewonethics–i.e.“Lyingisneverpermitted”butofcoursetheconsequencesofnotlyingcouldbeaproblem

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EthicalTheories-U)litarianism�  PrimaryadvocatesinJohnStuartMill(1806–1873)andJohnDewey

(1859-1952)�  Theaggregatevalueofachoiceisusedtocalculateitsethicalvalue–the

consequentialistorresultbasedethicsapproach�  Rulesarejudgedbytheirnetimpact�  Itmaybenecessaryundercertaincircumstancestobreakarule�  Tendstolookatthecommongood

�  Itfocusesonsociety,ratherthanonloneindividuals,astheentitywhichachievesmorality.

�  Itallowsthatamoraljudgmentmaybeappropriateinoneageofagivensociety,eventhoughitwillceasetobeappropriateafterthatsocietyprogresses(ormayalreadybeinappropriateinanothersociety).�  Shouldwejudgedifferentsocietiesorcenturiesbydifferentstandards�  Weretheirethicalstandardsevolving?

�  Mainobjectionisthatitmaydisregardindividualfreedom�  Pragmaticethicsmaybemisunderstoodasrelativist�  AdilemmainUtilitarianism

�  Canyoutakefoodfromonepersonandgiveittoanotherjustbecausethesecondpersonisstarving?

�  Ifyousaidyes–Canyoutakeakidneyfromonepersonandgiveittoanotherjustbecausethesecondpersonneedsittosurvive?

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EthicalTheories–NaturalRights�  JohnLocke(1632-1704)wasaprimaryproponent

�  ExtremelyinfluentialontheFoundingFathers�  Definesasphereoffreedom,includingfundamentalrights

�  Life,Liberty,PursuitofHappiness,PropertyRights�  Fromtheseprincipleswecanimplyethicalrulesagainstkilling,

stealing,deception,andcoercion�  Voluntaryinteractionswithoutdeceitorcoercionareemphasized–

theprocessisofgreatimportance,notnecessarilytheresult

�  Ifeveryoneadherestotheseprinciplesvoluntarilythentheprocesswillbepureeveniftheresultsaren’talwaysso

�  Thisiswhytheyword“pursuit”issoimportantandsoarguedover

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EthicalTheories-Nega)veandPosi)veRights�  NegativeRights–alsocalledLiberties

�  Rightswithoutinterference�  Otherscan’toverruleorinterferewiththeserights�  Life,property,speech,religion,etc.aresuchrights

�  EmbodiedinmuchoftheBillofRights�  Oftendeniedinauthoritarianstates

�  Example–youcanchoosewhereyouwanttowork�  PositiveRights

�  Claimed0rcreated�  Imposeanobligationfromonegrouptoanother

�  Examplesincludingpayingforsomeoneelse’shealthcareorfood�  Imposingarequirementononepersonorgrouptohireanotherperson�  Socialjusticeisbasedonthepremisethatclaimrightsarelegitimateandeven

ethicallyrequired�  Impositionofpositiverightsrequiresalargergovernment

�  Leadstolargescalelobbyingasspecialinterestscompetefortheirclaimrights

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EthicalTheories–GoldenRule� TheBibleandConfucius–anotherconsequentialapproach

� Considerotherswhenmakingethicaldecisions� Theoutcomecandeterminetheactiontotake

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EthicalTheories–SocialContracts�  Whatistheroleofgovernmentinanethicalbodypolitic�  Peoplesubmittoabasicsetofgoverninglaws

�  TheseareembodiedintheConstitutionandtheBillofRights�  PeoplelikeLockebelievedinlimitedgovernment–thegovernmentisthereto

enforcenaturalrights�  ThomasHobbes(1588-1679)believedthatthesocialcontractrequiredpeople

tocederightstogovernmentinordertoformabettersociety�  InhisbookLeviathansaysthatmanstartsfroma“StateofNature”whereeach

personactsaccordingtohisownselfinterest�  Rationalthoughtleadstomancedingsomeindependenceinordertoseeka

bettersituationthroughasocialcontract�  HistoricalsocialcontractsincludetheMagnaCartaandU.S.Constitution

�  JohnRawls(1921-2002)tookamoreradicalviewinhisbook‘ATheoryofJustice’�  Governmentwastheretofurthersocialjustice�  Heseesthegovernmentgoingbeyondthepursuitofhappinessto

guaranteeingfairnessandequalityofoutcomes�  ThisisthegreatdebateragingintheSupremeCourtandthecountrytoday

19SeeReference:Lockevs.Hobbes

EthicalTheories–TheVeilofIgnorance(1)�  JohnRawlsusedthe“VeilofIgnorance”and“OriginalPosition”asstartingpoints�  Peopleintheoriginalpositiondonotknowtheirplaceinsociety,theirnaturaloracquiredtraitsorabilities,whatconceptionsofthegoodtheyhave,norwhattheirparticulargoalsare.

�  Theydonotknowtheparticularpolitical,economicorculturalcharacteristicsoftheirownsocietynordotheyknowtowhichgenerationtheybelong.

�  Theydoknowthattheyarecontemporaries,thattheyareinthecircumstanceswherehumancooperationisbothpossibleanddesirableandthattheyareeachcapableofasenseofjustice.

�  Thereisnolimittotheirknowledgeofgeneralinformationsuchasiscontainedinpolitical,social,economicandpsychologicaltheories.

20SeeReference:OriginalPosition…

EthicalTheories–TheVeilofIgnorance(2)�  Rawlsmaintainsthatpeopleintheoriginalpositionwouldchoosethefollowingspecialconceptionofjustice:�  Eachpersonistohaveanequalrighttothemostextensivetotal

systemofequalbasiclibertiescompatiblewithasimilarsystemoflibertyforall.

�  Socialandeconomicinequalitiesaretobearrangedsothattheyaretothegreatestbenefitoftheleastadvantagedandareattachedtoofficesandpositionsopentoallunderconditionsoffairequalityofopportunity.

�  Therewillbeequalopportunityforeveryonetoclimbtheeconomicand/orsocialladderandthatanysocialoreconomicinequalitiesthatareallowedmustbearrangedsothattheyimprovetheaccesstoPrimaryGoodsfortheLeastAdvantaged.

�  Hebelievedthatifnooneknewtheirpositionorcircumstancethattheywouldlooktoensurethegreatestlevelofequality

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EthicalTheories–TheVeilofIgnorance(3)�  Oneruleofchoice—called“maximin”

�  Directsthatweplayitassafeaspossiblebychoosingthealternativewhoseworstoutcomeleavesusbetteroffthantheworstoutcomeofallotheralternatives.

�  Theaimisto“maximizetheminimum”regretorlosstowell-being.�  Tofollowthisstrategy,Rawlssaysyoushouldchooseasifyourenemy

weretoassignyoursocialpositioninwhateverkindofsocietyyouendupin.

�  Whathappensifyouproduceaproductthatimprovesefficiencybutleadstounemployment–Isitlegitimatetoproducethatproduct?

�  Bycontrastanotherstrategyleadsustofocusonthemostadvantagedpositionandsaysweshould“maximizethemaximum”potentialgain—“maximax”—andchoosethealternativewhosebestoutcomeleavesusbetteroffthanallotheralternatives.�  ClearlythisinnottheRawlsalternative�  However,itmorecloselyresemblesthecapitalisticview

�  Humannaturedrivesusalltosucceedandtherewillbemorewealthifeveryoneisworkingtomaximizetheirrewards

�  HenryFordpaidhisworkersabetterwagesothattheycouldbuyhiscars

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Summary�  Notallethicalissuesareeasilydecided

�  Somethingsareobligatoryanduniversallyaccepted,whileothersaremoreambiguous

�  Notallactionsthatmaycauseharmarenecessarilyunethical–Isitunethicaltobancoalbecauseitwillharmcoalminers?

�  DistinguishWrongfromHarm�  Anactthatcausesharmmaynotnecessarilybeunethical

�  Destroyinganenemyinwarmaycauseharm,butcanbeethical�  Thereisadifferencebetweentakingsomethingfromaperson,andnotgivinga

personsomething�  Distinguishgoalsfrommeans

�  Youcanimproveprofitsbymakingabetterproduct,butnotbystealing�  LawandEthicsaredifferentthings

�  Somelawsenforceethicalstandards�  Otherlawsaremeanttoimposepublicpreference(onereligionoveranother)

orbusinessgoals�  Insubsequentlessonswewillexploretheseissuesusingthecomputerworld

asourprimarysetofexamples

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ClassExercise1�  Exercise 1 Profitability and CEO Responsibility

�  The CEO of an Internet provider is approached by a streaming company and offered a per user payment for priority streaming on the network. The CEO has a fiduciary obligation to maximize profits for the shareholders (short and long term). However, there are also strong ethical reasons for making sure that the network remains neutral in terms of the flow of information. What should the CEO do?

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ClassExercise2� Exercise2–ReleasingSoftware

�  Isitlegitimatetoreleasesoftwarewithbugs?Whatifyouknowthatthereareprobablybugs,butdon’tyetknowwhatthosebugsorleaksare?Whoisliableforanylossesrelatedtobuggyorvirusvulnerablesoftware?Somethingstothinkabout:�  Perfectsoftware(itdoesn’tactuallyexist)comesatanextremecost–i.e.spaceplatformsetc.,althougheventhesesystemshavebugsfixedwhileinorbit

�  IftheoriginalWindowshadn’tbeenreleased,despitethebugs,wouldwehaveWindows10,MSOffice,Explorer,oranyoftheotherproductswerelyoneveryday

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Exercise3� KillSwitches

�  AcompanyfindsthatanApphasmalicioussoftware.Dotheyhavetherighttodeletethesoftwarefromyourphoneandthennotifyyou?

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Exercise4�  LegalEthics

�  FormanyyearsmargarinewasbannedinWisconsinbecauseithurtdairyfarmers?WhatwouldLockethinkaboutthis?Rawls?

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Exercise5� CorporateObligations

�  RecentlythegovernmentaskedAppletofindabackdooropeningtotheiPhoneoftheSanBernardinoterrorist.Applerefused,citingthedangersthatwouldposetootheriPhoneusers.Whodoyouthinkwasrightinthiscase?Why?

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