Ethics

11SlideSlide (of 200)(of 200)

Ethical Decisions, particularly after

Sept. 11, 2001

Marsha Woodbury, Ph.D.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

22SlideSlide (of 200)(of 200)

What a difference a day makes

33SlideSlide (of 200)(of 200)

Terrorism

• "The single common denominator is that it is a psychological weapon, intended to erode trust and undermine confidence in our government, its elected officials, institutions or policies."

• A "photo op" attack is what a terrorist prefers, not the unseen cyber terrorism that we also worry about. The sympathizers who don't train at camps can do major damage online.

44SlideSlide (of 200)(of 200)

Ethics is the study of rational decision making toward just action

(Doing what we ought to do in situations where we have time to think!)

We may not be as rational

as we once thought we were.

55SlideSlide (of 200)(of 200)

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

•Physiological Needs

• Safety Needs

• Needs of Love, Affection

and Belongingness

•Needs for Esteem

•Needs for Self-Actualization

66SlideSlide (of 200)(of 200)

Maslow’s PyramidWe dropped a notch

• A need is no longer a motivator when it is satisfied. Needs are motivators when they are not met.

• After a terrorist attack, in countries with strong “rights” traditions, many people feel that they are at level two, even if they are not near that level.

77SlideSlide (of 200)(of 200)

Journalism Ethics

88SlideSlide (of 200)(of 200)

Journalism Ethics

• Bodies falling photos• Self-censorship out of "patriotism" (or

was it fear of economic backlash?—Bill Maher)

• WMD• Repeating what those in authority say…

without question

99SlideSlide (of 200)(of 200)

Business Ethics

• Profiting off stocks rising and falling after a disaster

• Laying off large numbers of workers while drawing huge CEO salaries

• Selling guns to developing countries• Nike sweat shops, etc.

1010SlideSlide (of 200)(of 200)

Computer Ethics

• Big choices right now!

• Will your skills be used to end terrorism, secure privacy, harass the poor, advance a police state, or what?

1111SlideSlide (of 200)(of 200)

Along with the power to change the world comes the duty to execute that power

responsibly

1212SlideSlide (of 200)(of 200)

Ethics < > Rules or Laws

LawsLaws

EthicsEthics

Death Penalty?Death Penalty?

Marijuana?Marijuana?Vietnam?Vietnam?

Taking awayTaking away human rightshuman rights

1313SlideSlide (of 200)(of 200)

About Ethics

• The point is to be somewhat logical, to justify your actions following moral principles

• The struggle is the important part—going through the thinking process

• Guidance from Codes of Ethics (particularly on the social consequences of the program that you are writing)

1414SlideSlide (of 200)(of 200)

Before a terrorist attack

• We weigh our obligations– to society (a hard-sell)– to our families– to our employer (another hard-sell)– to our clients– to our colleagues– to our students

1515SlideSlide (of 200)(of 200)

After an attack

• We weigh our obligations– to our country (patriotism)– to our families– to our employer– to our clients– to our colleagues– to our students

1616SlideSlide (of 200)(of 200)

Key Issues in Computer and Information Ethics before Sept. 11

• Privacy (would not link databases)

• Ownership• Security (the WTC backups

showed responsible use)• Access (the web was a helpful

tool for communications)• Authenticity

1717SlideSlide (of 200)(of 200)

Worth remembering—from the ALA

…"freedom is not some arbitrary right that is bestowed upon us because of the virtuous nature of our national character. It is a right we must protect and defend in both times of promise and peril if we are to remain in the future what we are in the present -- a free and honorable people."

--Abraham Lincoln

1818SlideSlide (of 200)(of 200)

In summary

• Ethics implies rational decision-making

• After terrorist attacks, we react differently, not as rationally

• Thus, there is a real threat that our decisions will hurt our own interest

1919SlideSlide (of 200)(of 200)

Any questions?

• Please email me at [email protected]