quartz/content/notes/12-ethics-and-computing.md
2022-09-21 18:11:06 +12:00

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---
title: "12-ethics-and-computing"
aliases:
tags:
- cosc203
- lecture
---
# what is ethics
![example definitions|400](https://i.imgur.com/5A6nmkB.png)
- concerned with the fundamental issues of practical decision making. what actions should we take or not take?
requirements for an ethical system
- must be usable and practical
- need to be able to learn it, and use it
need to maintain respect for others views
# normative ethics
- the study of ethical behaviour
- investigates questions regarding how someone should act
three approaches
- deontology (duty or rule based)
- utilitarianism (consequentialism)
- virtue ethics (character based)
## deontology
- categorical imperitive - instrinsically valid principles that are good in and of themselves
- must be obeyed always
- e.g., dont murder people
- immanuel kant
- fundamental assumption that each person has intrinsic worth and deserves basic respect
- may be disagreements about principles involved - e.g., inherent universal ethics, religious laws, or cultural values
## utilitarianism
- maximise happiness and wellbeing for people
- john stuart mill
- practical approach, does not consider the rights of those who disagree, minorities, or the powerless
- identify various courses of action, ask who will be affeced by each acction, and what benefits or harms with be derived from each
- the ethical action is the one that provides the greatest good for the greatest number
- best for everyone overall
## virtue ethics
- focues on character of individuals and developing qualities of virtue or excellence.
- being a moral person rather than rule or action oriented
- aristotle
- eudaimonia - state of happiness, blessedness, or well-being
- golden rule - treat other the way you want to be treated
- golden mean - balance between extremes
- e.g., courage - cowardice - recklessness
## problems with ethical theories
- virtue
- depend on community having similar beliefs, values and close relationsihps
- deontology
- how to decide on common rules when different groups have opposing views
- what is a "right" choice results in bad consequences
- utilitatianism
- harming a minority and benefiting a majority doesn't build mutually beneficial relationships.
- can legitimise doing wrong by claiming that it is justified by the outcome
- how do you know the outcome of thier choices
- bad results can be explained away
## bad examples
![czarist russia vs russian revolution|400](https://i.imgur.com/6PVESbU.png)
unforseen consequences can occur
# applied ethics
- association for computing machinery (ACM)
- ![applied ethics slide|400](https://i.imgur.com/NUDInYq.png)
![acm 1.1|400](https://i.imgur.com/N1jc50w.png)
![acm 1.2|400](https://i.imgur.com/rcMzx7X.png)
![acm 1.3|400](https://i.imgur.com/tUrFHVC.png)
![acm 1.4|400](https://i.imgur.com/3g7Q2Jt.png)
![acm 2.1|400](https://i.imgur.com/ZbW5Ius.png)
![acm 2.5|400](https://i.imgur.com/otCEEWY.png)
![acm 3.1|400](https://i.imgur.com/uIrA0uy.png)
![acm 3.7|400](https://i.imgur.com/sM2jCUH.png)
# censorship and misinformation
- fire and fury documentary
- disinformation project
- what is it
- what is censorship
- how do we know what information is accurate
- searchiing forinformation
- why is this relevant to us
- who decides what is legitimate information
- how can science help with decisions
## replication crisis
![slide|400](https://i.imgur.com/iABMGCY.png)
does funding influence the results that are obtained
## controversial i