Chapter 42: Subsumption Ethics By David H. Gleason
April 14, 2009
Chapter 42: Subsumption Ethics
By David H. Gleason
Book: Cyberethics
Library Reference: Not Applicable
Quote:
“Satisfaction is short lived”
This means that our satisfaction does not last. One of the examples is eating. Sometimes the food satisfies to what our needs, but it would not last.
Learning Expectation:
I expect to know what is subsumption ethics since this is my first time to hear this term. Also, I want to know the side of David H. Gleason regarding this issue.
Review:
This chapter talks about subsumption ethics. Subsumption ethics means the process in which the decision will be operated by a machine that would make a decision as to run or to stop it.
There are four ethical principles in order to create the framework of IT decisions. First is golden rule. The golden rule is about “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. This means that because we are being paid by the stakeholders, we should also see to it that we are also doing our job. Second is the golden mean. This is the Aristotle’s happiness and virtue which means that happiness lies on that middle or mean which is not the extreme and not the deficient. We should be informed and judged other with just. Third is karma. This means that whatever we do, there are consequences. If our action is bad, then we should expect to have bad consequence. But if our action is right, then we should expect to have a good consequence. Fourth is ethical complexity which means that the job or work by a person does not have end. We are always accountable with the product that we are creating. Paying us and accepting our work does not mean that it is the end.
The difference of computers and human is that we can make decisions. Computers would only do what the users wants him to do. We, humans can choose what is best for us. This chapter suggest that because we are human, we should do the right action and not the wrong action.
What I’ve learned:
I learned primarily the subsumption ethics. With subsumption ethics, it forced the information technology to have ethical considerations. The subsumption ethics would help us to decide the best since there is a need to help us guide in decision making.
I learned the four ethical principles. I learned how important it is in the world of information technology.
Integrative questions:
1) What is subsumption ethics?
2) What are the four ethical principle?
3) What are the axioms of subsumption ethics?
4) Can you give examples of subsumption ethics?
5) How does subsumption ethics works?
