Haidt and Joseph identify five psychological systems, each with its own evolutionary history, that gives rise to moral intuitions across cultures. Haidt and Joseph’s Five Psychological Systems Foundation Origin/Expression Harm/Care People have a sensitivity to cruelty and harm, they feel approval toward those who prevent or relieve harm, and this approval is culturally codified in […]
Author: ken-judy
No silver bullet
Separate from the essential complexity of moral reasoning itself, Walter Maner argues that computer ethics is so complex and unique that it constitutes a distinct field of ethical study, “With no satisfactory non-computer analog.” Computer ethics has no prior analog because computer systems are uniquely complex, fast, cheap and out of control. If this argument […]
Agile software development and the mushy stuff of values and culture
“We are uncovering better ways of developing software by doing it and helping others do it. Through this work we have come to value: Individuals and interactions over processes and tools. Working software over comprehensive documentation. Customer collaboration over contract negotiation. Responding to change over following a plan.” Beck, K., Beedle, M., et, al.,. Principles […]
Agile principles are a compelling but incomplete set of ethical concerns
The Agile Principles represent a commitment to delivering business value, software quality, honesty, introspection, continuous improvement, humane work environments, empowered workers and customer collaboration. Their strength is with regard to behaviors the provide direct value to the customer, a sustainable pace, and team and individual excellence. Agile Principles are silent on the responsibility of the […]
A classic case study in ethics
The following case study comes from the field of engineering not software. It also deals with safety critical systems and dire consequences. It is included because it is a famous and well-understood example that provides a clear role model and that despite the stakes, presents dilemmas and pressures similar to those faced by developers on […]
References
Maner, W., “Unique Ethical Problems in Information Technology”, Science and Engineering Ethics, 2:2, April 1996, pp. 137-54. InfoWorld, “Software developer growth slows in North America”, [online] [cited June 6, 2008] http:// www.infoworld.com/article/07/03/13/HNslowsoftdev_1.html U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Information Programs, “USA Economy in Brief”, [online] [cited June 6, 2008] http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/economy-in-brief/page3.html SANS, “SANS Top-20 2007 […]