Devising an Ethical Framework

Hover over each of the concepts below to learn about their differences:

What are morals?

Google's dictionary defines morals as "a person's standards of behavior or beliefs concerning what is and is not acceptable for them to do." (Google Dictionary and search)

In general, professional and amateur philosophers agree that morals are an individual's practice of 'correct' behavior. Some say that morality is the set of rules a 'society' uses to describe what its people should believe and how they should behave in various situations.

What are ethics?

In general, professional and amateur philosophers agree that ethics is the set of rules that a person's society places on their behavior. However, some say that ethics is the 'rational examination' of the moral rules we impose on ourselves or that societies impose on us.

Techno-sociologist Zeynep Tufekci was a teenager when she began her career as a computer scientist. She has always questioned the morality of her work in decision-making situations; are the algorithms fair, biased, and ethical? In the following TED Talk from , she explains "how intelligent machines can fail in ways that don't fit human error patterns — and in ways we won't expect or be prepared for."

In his book, Ethics for the Information Age, Michael J. Quinn, PhD, explains a framework of theories which most computer scientists feel are 'workable' for making decisions in their industry. They take other people into account, assume moral precepts are objective, and rely on reasoning based on facts and common values. They are useful for weighing benefits, harms, rights, obligations, and/or duties. This framework of theories helps professionals make decisions in order to reduce mistakes and biases.

The Ethics Unwrapped program from the University of Texas' McComb's School of Business simply defines and compares that framework:

Utilitarianism

McComb's School of Business, University of Texas Utilitarianism.

An action is good if it benefits someone or causes greatest benefit for the greatest number of people. An action is bad if it harms someone and good if it minimizes harm to the most people. (Quinn p68-70) The Greatest Happiness Principle and the Principle of Utility are used to evaluate of consequences of an action. Benefits and harms can be calculated by these factors: intensity, duration, certainty, propinquity, fecundity, purity, extent. Utilitarianisim, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Virtue Theory

McComb's School of Business, University of Texas Virtue Ethics.

Emphasizes the 'character' and 'virtue' in moral philosophy. Provides a framework for analyzing moral situations, to reach a conclusion, and to justify the conclusion using logical arguments. Virtue Ethics, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

Kantianism and Deontology

McComb's School of Business, University of Texas Deontology.

People should be guided by universal moral laws of good will and duties and obligations. Categorical Imperative (2nd Formulation): Treat yourself and others as an end in themselves, never as the means to an end. (Quinn p68-70) Immanueal Kant, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Social Contract

McComb's School of Business, University of Texas Social Contract.

We implicitly accept a social contract (rules) when we become part of a group (such as a country). Government can enforce the rules. Rawls's Principles of Justice: Members have rights but no one is above the rules. (Quinn p83) Difference Principle: strives for the greatest benefit of the least-advantaged members. Social Contract, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University has devised a similar set of guidelines:
A Framework for Ethical Decision Making:

The Utilitarian Approach

The Utilitarian Approach creates the best balance of good over harm, so that corporations increase overall good while doing the least harm to people inside the business, outside the business, and to the environment.

The Rights Approach

The Rights Approach aims to protect human rights so we can make our own choices, be told the truth, be safe, and have some degree of privacy. It also implies we have a duty to respect the rights of others.

The Fairness or Justice Approach

The Fairness or Justice Approach posits that our actions should treat each human as equal to another, or at the very least, treat each fairly, based on a defensible standard, such as a law.

The Common Good Approach

The Common Good Approach posits that respect and compassion for each member of a community is a requirement of the laws and departments of that community, especially when it cares for its most vulnerable members.

The Virtue Approach

The Virtue Approach suggests we act according to the highest potential of our individual character in any given situation. It asks us to look at the consequences to determine if the action we take is in our best interest.

Updated July 2019