Professional ethics for computer science

Professional Ethics for Computer Science September, 2006 My Ethical Perspective Ethics has been one of the most debated issues in the history of man’s existence. As most people say, what is right and wrong may depend on one’s values, principles, and beliefs. In philosophy, moral conduct can be measured through any of the following: (1) virtue ethics; (2) duty ethics; and (3) consequentialism.
Virtue ethics emphasizes that a person’s moral conduct can be identified through “ virtues” or “ good habits”, such as Plato’s cardinal virtues of wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice. Other important virtues are fortitude, generosity, self-respect, good temper, and sincerity. Man can live a morally upright living by following these virtues. Duty ethics focus more on man’s “ obligation” and “ duty” to follow what one might think is right, in spite of the consequences that might happen after. A mother may choose to live abroad to provide financial support to her family even if it means sacrificing the love that she should give to her children and other loved ones. A couple may choose to keep their marriage despite the presence of infidelity for the other half.
And lastly, the consequentialist ethics deals the opposite of the duty ethics (also called non-consequentialist). In this ethics, a conduct is right if the consequences favor the greater good man. Good world leaders base their decisions on “ who will benefit more” than to “ please all people”.
Based from the three ethical strategies, my decisions are mainly based on the consequentialist ethics, or better yet, for the better good of mankind. Although I am not deeply rooted with any religion, cult, or sect, my ethical perspective is based upon my experiences in life. When I was young, I learned the value of telling a white lie, if it means saving my friend from harm. My family has brought me up freely, allowing me to learn from my mistakes and making better decisions in the end. Growing up, I also learned that I can never please all the people around me. My family also taught me the value of decision-making, of weighing things first before acting upon any situation. Having lived in Hong Kong, I’ve seen a lot of people who became successful because they value what is best for the majority, even if it means sacrificing the minority. Enemies will always be there, but true friends, no matter how few or how far they may be, are the ones who keep me my feet on the ground.
Having taken up a major related to computers, I feel the need for every individual who use the World Wide Web, and other computer related applications and hardware, to become responsible for their own actions. Nowadays, pornography, scandals, and other crimes are also present in the virtual world. The internet is greatly abused by millions of people who take advantage of being able to hide in fake names and aliases. In this age of computer technology, each and every individual must be reminded that technology is developed for the betterment of mankind, and not for the destruction of society’s moral standards. Computer technology may come and go, but ethics and man’s moral standards are here to stay.
Works Cited
Fieser, James. Ethics, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2006. Retrieved September 2006 from website: .