Chapter 9 of Ethics for the Information Age covers Professional Ethics in the

context of computing careers, specifically looking at the responsibilities of

computer-related professionals. Here’s a simplified yet detailed summary of
the main points discussed:

1. What Defines a Profession?

A profession is a type of job that needs special skills and knowledge.

Professions like medicine and law are well-known because they have rules for
education, certification, and ethics. These jobs often need licenses to make
sure workers are qualified and responsible.

Characteristics of Professions:

 Education: Professions require specific schooling or training. For

example, doctors go to medical school, and lawyers attend law school.
 Certification or License: Many professions require a certificate or
license to practice, proving that the person is qualified.
 Code of Ethics: Professionals follow a set of rules to make good
decisions and act responsibly.

Professional Responsibility:

Professionals are trusted because their work can affect people’s lives. For
example:

 Software Engineering: A software engineer’s work can impact safety

(like in medical systems), money (such as in banking), and privacy (like
in protecting personal data). They must make responsible choices to
avoid harm.

Why Computer-Related Jobs Are Different:

In many computer jobs, like programming, there is no official license

required. This means that the person doing the work must take responsibility
for their actions. Even without a license, they must follow ethical rules to
make sure their work is safe and doesn’t cause harm.
2. The Software Engineering Code of Ethics

The Software Engineering Code of Ethics helps software engineers make

good and ethical decisions in their work. It was created by the ACM
(Association for Computing Machinery) and IEEE-CS (Institute of Electrical
and Electronics Engineers Computer Society) to set clear standards for how
engineers should behave.

Eight Main Principles:

1. Public: Engineers must focus on the public’s safety, privacy, and well-
being when designing software.
2. Client and Employer: They should always act in the best interests of
their clients and employers, but within legal and ethical limits.
3. Product: Engineers must ensure the software they create is of high
quality and works reliably.
4. Judgment: Engineers should make independent, fair, and ethical
decisions, without bias.
5. Management: Managers should encourage ethical behavior in their
teams and during project management.
6. Profession: Engineers should work to improve and maintain the
reputation and integrity of their profession.
7. Colleagues: They should help and encourage other engineers to
follow ethical practices.
8. Self: Engineers must take responsibility for their actions and keep
improving their skills.

Application:

The code includes specific examples, called “clauses,” to help engineers

handle real-world situations, like:

 Avoiding conflicts of interest.

 Keeping information confidential.
 Being honest and transparent in their work

3. Analysis of the Code of Ethics

The analysis of the Code of Ethics highlights two key aspects:

 1. Not Absolute: The Code of Ethics serves as a guideline rather than a
strict rulebook. Engineers are often required to make ethical decisions
based on judgment, as real-life situations can involve conflicting
principles. For example, protecting public safety might conflict with the
need to keep a client’s information confidential. The Code allows for
flexibility, requiring engineers to weigh these conflicting values and
make decisions that best serve all parties involved.
2. Decision-Making: In instances of ethical conflict, engineers should
consider various factors:
a. Impact on others: Who will be affected by their decisions?
b. Respect for others: Are their actions considerate of others'
rights and dignity?
c. Professional standards: Do their actions align with the ethical
standards expected within their profession?

here are different ways to think about what is right or wrong:

 Utilitarianism means thinking about the greatest good—what will

cause the most happiness or benefit to the most people.
 Kantianism focuses on duties and rights, asking what we are morally
required to do based on principles, no matter the outcome.
 Virtue ethics is about being a good person, considering what a
person with good character would do in a situation.

By thinking about these things, engineers can make decisions that are
thoughtful, respectful, and in line with professional ethics.

4. Case Studies in Software Ethics

ere are some real-life examples of how the Code of Ethics can help engineers
make decisions:

1. Software Recommendations: Engineers must be honest about the

capabilities of the software they recommend. They shouldn't favor one
product over another unless it's truly the best option for the task. The
decision should be based on the software’s actual performance and not
personal bias or outside pressure.
2. Dealing with Harmful Content: Engineers may face tough decisions
when working with sensitive or harmful content, such as protecting
children from harmful material online. They need to balance their
 responsibility to protect the public with other ethical concerns, like
respecting freedom of speech.
3. Creating Anti-Malware: A security expert might create an anti-virus
program, like an anti-worm, to stop harmful malware. However,
releasing this kind of software without proper authorization can raise
ethical issues. Engineers must consider whether they are acting in the
public’s best interest or if their actions could lead to unintended
consequences, such as breaking laws or disrupting other systems.
4. Consulting for Personal Gain: Engineers should avoid doing
consulting work that conflicts with their employer's interests. If an
engineer is working for a company, they should not take on outside
consulting jobs that could benefit them personally but harm the
company they work for. This would be seen as unethical because it
goes against their duty to their employer.

In all these cases, the Code of Ethics helps engineers think about what’s
right and what’s fair, guiding them to make choices that consider public
safety, honesty, and fairness.

Whistle-Blowing in Technology (Simplified)

1. Definition: Whistle-blowing happens when an employee exposes

wrongdoing or illegal activities in their company. This is often done
when other attempts to fix the issue within the company have failed.
Whistle-blowers are trying to protect the public from harm or injustice.
2. Moral Dilemmas: Whistle-blowing puts employees in a tough position,
where they must choose between:
a. Loyalty to the company: Staying loyal to their employer or
reporting problems outside the company.
b. Public responsibility: They have a responsibility to protect the
public, but doing so might cause trouble for their career or
personal life.
c. Risks: Whistle-blowers might lose their job, face public backlash,
or damage their career. The decision to blow the whistle can be
very stressful and risky.
3. Famous Whistle-Blowing Cases: There are famous examples where
people have spoken out to reveal major issues:
 a. Edward Snowden revealed that the U.S. government was
secretly spying on its citizens, which raised questions about
privacy vs. national security.
b. Frances Haugen, a former Facebook employee, exposed how
Facebook put profit before user safety, causing harm to its users.

These examples show how whistle-blowers often sacrifice a lot to protect the
public, but their actions also raise tough ethical questions.

4. Company Culture: Companies that act ethically create an

environment where employees feel comfortable speaking up about
issues. If employees can raise concerns safely inside the company,
there will be less need for whistle-blowing. A healthy work culture
encourages open and honest conversations about ethics.

Key Takeaways (Simplified)

 Ethical Responsibility: Chapter 9 highlights the importance of

engineers acting ethically. Even though computer-related jobs may not
always require a license, the Software Engineering Code of Ethics
gives engineers a guide to make the right choices that benefit society
and maintain the profession’s integrity.
 Building Trust: The Code of Ethics encourages engineers to act
honestly and responsibly, helping to build trust in the profession and
making sure their work doesn’t cause harm to people or society.
 Whistle-Blowing and Company Ethics: The chapter suggests that
companies should create a culture where ethical concerns can be
handled internally, so employees don’t feel the need to blow the
whistle. When companies encourage ethical behavior, they help avoid
situations where employees have to make difficult choices like whistle-
blowing