As computers become more prevalent in the workplace, more organizations publish official codes of ethics that cover computer use. It is societys views about the use of computers, both hardware and software. You understand the need for both personal and professional ethics. The implementation of such an ethical framework can overcome the traditional dichotomy between professional skills and ethical skills, which plagues the engineering professions, by proposing an. Without payment, there would be no incentive for programmers to spend years creating or maintaining their software. Software enables us to accomplish many different tasks with computers. Copyright law does not permit you to run your software on two or more computers simultaneously unless the. Software is impacting every area of our lives, and will be even more omnipresent in the future. Like electrical engineers, most computing professionals work for employers, who might not be the professionals clients. The typical problem with computer ethics is the policy vacuum that arises from the new capabilities of the technology.
Mar, 2017 in his keynote at apidays australia last month, senior director and head of api management at red hat, steven willmott, proposed a new set of five principles of software ethics. An example of this relationship can be seen when a computer user goes to download a file from a web site that entices people with promises of free downloads of the works of others. Computer and information ethics stanford encyclopedia of. The latest game that mike worked on, uses inferential reasoning and allows players to choose different characters, primarily macho man and sexy woman. The purpose of roboethics is ensuring that machines with artificial intelligence ai behave in ways that prioritize human safety above their assigned tasks and their own.
The code contains eight principles related to the behavior of and decisions made by professional software engineers, including practitioners, educators, managers, supervisors and policy makers, as well as trainees and. Ethics organization of computer software listed as eocs. For example, creating software has value in our cul have a few. Some common issues of computer ethics include intellectual property rights such as ed electronic content, privacy concerns, and how. Online ethics refers to the rules of online behavior based on moral principles that assist in how people or organizations behave. You can analyze the ethical implications of software engineering practices that can incur harm. The thorny ethics of computer programming the new stack. Software engineering is a relatively young practice and compared with other engineering disciplines, its culture of professionalism is still developing. It is important for computer users to be aware of the ethical use of ed material, the ethical use of resources and information, and the ethical use of school, company, and employee information.
Unfortunately, in order to get their work done quickly and conveniently, some people justify making and using unauthorized copies of. We have seen on many occasions during the last few years how a small glitch in software can have unprecedented consequences, from data leaks to people being harassed, harmed or killed. Ethics intellectual property rights computer science. The definition of computer ethics refers to the moral principles that guide individuals within the computer industry.
Nov 11, 2018 ethics is often considered as the field which deals with moral science. Ethics organization of computer software how is ethics. Ethic definition is the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation. Ethics could be referred to as specific values, standards, rules, and agreements. For example, a software engineer might develop application software that controls a. Free software, freeware and shareware computer science. Hence, there are computer ethics and business ethics, each defined within their own environments. The code helps to define those actions that are ethically improper to request of a software. Computer ethics in the workplace is a relatively new, but quickly growing field of study. Computer ethics is a part of practical philosophy concerned with how computing professionals. Willmott argued that we now have the technological building blocks to pretty much build anything we can imagine. Computer ethics dictionary definition computer ethics. This is why big tech companies must take the lead and create their own code of ethics. Software professional code of ethics as a software professional, i will conduct myself honestly and ethically wherever i operate in the world.
Find out inside pcmags comprehensive tech and computerrelated encyclopedia. We have seen on many occasions during the last few years how a small glitch in software can have unprecedented consequences, from data leaks to. Ethics are unlike laws that legally mandate what is right or wrong. Mike works for a software development company which develops computer games for children aged 814. Find out inside pcmags comprehensive tech and computer related encyclopedia. Software engineering ethics software engineering has been described as the disciplined application of engineering, scientific, and mathematical principles, methods, and tools to the economical production of quality software.
You understand how ethical practice involves not just avoiding harm, but doing good. Computer ethics is a concept in ethics that addresses the ethical issues and constraints that arise from the use of computers, and how they can be mitigated or prevented. With enterprisegrade containers, apis, and a global. Introduction to computer information systemsethics. These rules shape and differentiate good practices and. Associate professor of philosophy, santa clara university special contributor to introduction. Margaret anne pierce, a professor in the department of mathematics and computers at georgia southern university has categorized the ethical decisions related to computer technology and usage into three primary influences. I will adhere to the code of ethics herein and uphold the values of openness, courage, respect, focus, and commitment. This article gives an overview of professional ethics as applied to computer programming and software development, in particular the ethical guidelines that developers are expected to follow and apply when writing programming code also called source code, and when they are part of a programmercustomer or employeeemployer relationship.
Computer professionals are expected to conduct themselves in an ethical manner. The rapid advances in technology can sometimes leave ethical considerations behind, as. They are committed to analyzing, specifying, designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software that is beneficial and effective for the company or client. Thou shalt not interfere with other peoples computer work. Dec 11, 2016 julile bort, an enterprise computing editor for business insider, took note of the burgeoning conversation, in an article which reminded readers about the acms software engineering code of ethics and professional practice, as well as the ieees own code of ethics. These codes are code of ethics and professional conduct and the software engineering code of ethics and professional practice, respectively. The computer revolutioncomputer and business ethics.
Code of ethics for computer professionals career trend. Copyright is a legal term describing ownership of control of the rights to the use and distribution of certain works of creative expression, including books, video. Sep 16, 2019 software engineering ethics are a subset of engineering ethics and professional ethics applied to the design and development of software systems. Some licenses may restrict use to a specific computer. Ieeecsacm joint task force on software engineering ethics and. This article gives an overview of professional ethics as applied to computer programming and software development, in particular the ethical guidelines that. The software engineering code of ethics focuses on providing highquality software. The computer ethics institute has developed the following ten commandments of computer ethics that can be used as guidelines of how to remain ethical when using your computer.
Computer ethics requires us to think anew about the nature of computer technology and our values. This is reinforced by the fact that most engineering ethics textbooks focus primarily on ethical issues faced by civil, mechanical or elecrical engineers. An introduction to software engineering ethics module authors. Abiding by a code of ethics puts product teams in a better position to deliver amazing software people can trust. It has its own code of ethics and another set of ethical principles that were also approved by the ieee as the standard for teaching and practicing software engineering. Computer ethics is a part of practical philosophy concerned with how computing professionals should make decisions regarding professional and social conduct. Ethics is a set of moral principles that govern the behavior of a group or individual.
Software piracy this includes downloading and using a program without paying for it, as well as buying, selling or giving away illegitimate copies of a game or any other piece of software. Not promising a target timeline or scope or resourcing or supporting on weekends which you know you cannot accomplish 2. Pan european game information pegi is a european video game content rating system established to help european parents make informed decisions on buying computer games with logos on games boxes. Feb 03, 2018 these are ethics i see for software field but applicable to most others.
A guide to the ethical and legal use of software for members of weber state university. The general definition of the word ethics defines the elements important to humans morals. The rapid advances in technology can sometimes leave ethical considerations behind, as was seen. Computer ethics deals with the procedures, values and practices that govern the process of consuming computing technology and its related disciplines without damaging or violating the moral values and beliefs of any individual, organization or entity. The more specific term computer ethics has been used, in the past, in several different ways. Computer ethics is a concept in ethics that addresses the ethical issues and constraints that. What is the relationship between computer security and ethics.
Computer and information ethics, in the present essay, is understood as that branch of applied ethics which studies and analyzes such social and ethical impacts of ict. How to handle ethics issues in software development. Unethical use of computers can be defined as downloading songs, movies, software s and etc from the internet illegally. It was developed by the interactive software federation of europe isfe and came into use in april 2003. Piracy ethics and law gcse computer science revision. This piece will mention a number of key ethical issues in software development and then well consider some.
Computer and business ethics are standards of moral conduct related to computer use and business decision making. This article highlights the points that throw some light on the importance of computer ethics and how they contribute into a better and safe usage of computers in our daily life. From s to spam, our ethics dictionary offers a glossary of terms you should know. Software engineering ethics are a subset of engineering ethics and professional ethics applied to the design and development of software systems. Roboethics robot ethics is the area of study concerned with what rules should be created for robots to ensure their ethical behavior and how to design ethical robots. For example, hard drive manufacturers guarantee nothing.
On my view, computer ethics is the analysis of the nature and social impact of computer. These are ethics i see for software field but applicable to most others. Apr 19, 2018 this is why big tech companies must take the lead and create their own code of ethics. Some common issues of computer ethics include intellectual property rights such as ed electronic content, privacy concerns, and how computers affect society. Engineering ethics and engineering philosophy look at the relationship between the engineer as an ind. According to the association for computer machinery, the software engineering code of ethics is as. Therefore, computer ethics is set of moral principles that regulate the use of. In accordance with that commitment, software engineers shall adhere to the following code of ethics and professional practice. For example, a software engineer might develop application software that controls a kitchen appliance. Some of the comments on reddit were distinctly more sardonic. Because software development has been progressing at such a rate, there are many ethical issues, some more complicated than others, that arise over time.
All department users are bound by the following ethics code, even if they didnt sign the document. Therefore, computer ethics is set of moral principles that regulate the use of computers. Ethics organization of computer software how is ethics organization of computer software abbreviated. Computing and network resources are intended for research and educational purposes. For example, not being involved in software piracy is a matter of ethics. Julile bort, an enterprise computing editor for business insider, took note of the burgeoning conversation, in an article which reminded readers about the acms software engineering code of ethics and professional practice, as well as the ieees own code of ethics. Although computer ethics is a field between science and ethics and depends on them, it is also a discipline. The five principles of software ethics the new stack.
The ethics of free software bertrand meyer, march 2000 the movement in favor of free and opensource software has recently reached a highly visible status, not only in the computer profession but in the popular media, with masscirculation. However, there are variations in how ethics is defined. Computer ethics are a set of moral standards that govern the use of computers. Why tech companies need a code of ethics for software. Computer ethics is a set of morals that regulate the use of computers. These are often open source software, which allows the users to ensure that their data is not saved to be used without their consent. The purpose of this article is to propose an ethical framework for software engineers that connects software developers ethical responsibilities directly to their professional standards. Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people. Computer ethics is defined as the analysis of the nature and social impact of computer technology and the corresponding formulation and justification of policies for the ethical use of such technology.
The term free software with the earlier definition, implying availability at no cost is almost. Sometimes, computer security and ethics are intertwined in unintended ways. Ethics illustrate societys views about what is right and what is wrong. Unethical use of computers can be defined as downloading songs, movies, softwares and etc from the internet illegally. The code contains eight principles related to the behavior of and decisions made by professional software engineers, including practitioners, educators, managers, supervisors and policy makers, as well as trainees and students of the profession. These downloads may include music downloads, software downloads, ringtones, videos and pictures. Basic rules for users of metu computer and network resources can be summarized as. As a software engineer applies these principles, human values become intertwined with technical. With usage of computers for communication being more preferred than pen and paper, following computer ethics have become a must for each and everyone.
398 1576 1465 1201 862 477 346 691 86 1480 1336 798 423 277 627 614 537 395 1016 472 878 1031 231 1552 621 1472 1492 1335 285 12 1299 124 1054 352 1096 1384 113 1268 1156 820 1220 1038 1349 355 1309 1276 129 190 1431 435 118