CONSIDERING CYBER ETHICS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS

TUI University Eli M. Olmstead Module 1 Case Assignment Course Number: ITM434 Dr. D. Mgbeke 20 August 2012

Cyber Ethics The Internet is an entirely new domain that was created in the last sixty years, a domain that has become incredibly hard to protect with unenforced laws. Yet despite its novelty, it can be compared to everyday life and choices that we make. Two different terms represent the cyber ethics code: Utilitarianism focuses on the larger impact and envisions the greatest possible happiness that could result, whereas deontological

reasoning represents an individuals right and duty. Both groups have their place, but the deontological position presents a superior ethical code for every day life. Every person makes choices; every choice has a result, and every result affects someone or something. Yet in regards to the Internet, people often think they can get away with speech, theft, and other offensive acts. Cyber ethics (or the lack thereof) have become a very serious issue in the last several years. For example: when a band releases their latest and greatest album, John may buy it and upload it to the Internet for all of his friends to access and download. The band will now lose revenue due to the copyright infringement and loss of paying customers. Everything is available on the web, but there is also an ethical way to use or obtain it. Utilitarianism is defined as A system of ethics according to which the rightness or wrongness of an action should be judged by its consequences. The goal of utilitarian ethics is to promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number. (American Heritage 2005) According to this definition, one could argue that John was uploading that album for the benefit of his friends, thus creating a larger realization of happiness. But Newtons third law states that For every action there is a equal and opposite reaction. In this case, the equal and opposite reaction would be the loss of revenue for the band, thus preventing them from producing more albums for their audience. Utilitarianism does

Cyber Ethics not take into account the reactions or consequences explained in Newtonian thought. When using technology, we should hold to the same principles as those we live by in

every day life. A persons values should not change the moment that they reach a form of anonymity. The term deontological basically insinuates a persons right, and the duty that guarantees or protects such rights. Dr. Stephen Gold said in one of his lectures, It is important to note that, for every right there is a correlative duty. In regards to the aforementioned example, though John may have had the right to upload a song to the Internet, his friends had a duty to pay for the song themselves, thus allowing the band to continue producing content. Dr. Gold rightly points out that even though something may be permissible, it is not always admirable. A person holding to the deontological code would realize the rights of the band supersede any temporary enjoyment received from illegal solicitation of the material. Today young people learn all too often that ethics is relative to who they are, what they believe, and their personal situation. (Steven Mintz 2011) Cyber ethics is a problem that should be taught from the moment someone is introduced to a computer. In fact, ethics are not dependent on our situation or desire. Rather, they are immutable principles governing every aspect of life. The principle Thou shalt not steal is the same whether one walks into a store, or is surfing the web. When someone is taught right and wrong from the beginning, that knowledge will be with them the rest of their life. Schools have used this reasoning; one institution said, "We put student work on our Web site to help get across the point that they are creators of online intellectual property. Then we discuss how they would feel if their work was copied by someone else without their

Cyber Ethics permission." (Linda Starr 2003). The Computer Ethics Institute created a list of rules such as Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people and Thou shalt use a computer in ways that show consideration of and respect for your fellow humans. They

titled this list The Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics. When society begins to abide by cyber ethics, the Internet will become a more charitable and civilized venue by considering the rights of others. Utilitarianism not only brings out the selfish nature of an individual, but also shows that they are more concerned with their happiness than the effect their decision causes another. The important point remains that the rights and duties in any situation are the same no matter the values and/or cultural perspectives of the person. No matter who you are, you must identify these relevant deontological considerations. However, the individuals values will determine which considerations are more important. (Dr. Stephen Gold, 2010). Because the deontological position properly considers the rights of individuals, it also brings greater good to the whole of society. Rather than emphasizing a egotistical or self-serving ethic, deontology achieves good ends through preserving the rights of individuals in society. This principle fits perfectly into cyber ethics: by protecting individual rights, society will preserve excellent material online for ages to come. These principles protect and preserve our Internet freedoms, while also enabling individuals to enjoy its materials. If Internet freedoms are not protected if John continues soliciting materials, and his friends continue disrespecting the bands we will lose valuable materials and markets. The only way to truly protect these materials for following generations is to realize a more holistic, deontological cyber code.

Cyber Ethics References "Utilitarianism." The American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2005. 16 Aug. 2012. Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Utilitarianism

Normative Ethics: A Lecture on Utilitarian and Deontological Reasoning, Steven J. Gold, PhD. Retrieved from https://cdad.trident.edu/CourseHomeModule.aspx?course=711&term=105&module=1&p age=custom1 Cyber Ethics Education is a Must in Today's Environment, Steven Mintz, aka Ethics Sage, 2011 Retrieved from http://www.ethicssage.com/2011/08/cyber-ethics-educationis-a-must-in-todays-environment.html Tools for Teaching Cyber Ethics. Linda Starr, 2003. Retrieved from http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech055.shtml