Unit 2: Professionalism and Professional Communication

Professionalism

●​ Definition: Acting in a courteous, conscientious, and businesslike manner in the

workplace, adhering to ethical and technical standards.

Characteristics of a Professional

1.​ Reliability – Being dependable is crucial in a business environment.

2.​ Honesty and Integrity – Ensures trust and transparency in professional relationships.
3.​ Competency – Professionals are expected to perform tasks with precision and skill.
4.​ Behavior and Respect – Professional reputation is based on both work quality and
interpersonal behavior.

Evolution of Professionalism

●​ Workplace cultures and societal attitudes have changed over time.

●​ Examples of changes:
○​ Relaxed dress codes.
○​ Flexible working arrangements.

Communication
Definition

●​ The process of transferring information between individuals or groups.

●​ Involves a sender, a message, and a recipient.

Categories of Communication

1.​ Spoken or Verbal Communication – Includes face-to-face conversations, phone calls,

and speeches.
2.​ Non-Verbal Communication – Involves body language, gestures, and facial
expressions.
3.​ Written Communication – Emails, reports, letters, and other text-based exchanges.
4.​ Visual Communication – Use of images, charts, and videos to convey messages.

Avoiding Misunderstandings in Communication

 1.​ Stop assuming – Ensure clarity before drawing conclusions.
2.​ Be courteous – Respectful communication fosters better relationships.
3.​ Know the limitations of text and emails – Tone and intent can be misinterpreted.
4.​ Be a good listener – Active listening prevents miscommunication.
5.​ Be aware of different communication styles – Adapt as needed for effective
interactions.

Professional Communication
●​ Encompasses speaking, listening, writing, and responding effectively in professional
settings.
●​ Applies to both in-person and electronic interactions.

Best Practices for Business Communication

●​ Use a professional, formal, and respectful tone in meetings, presentations, emails,

and reports.
●​ Maintain professionalism in written communication, even when messaging coworkers.
●​ Proofread emails to avoid grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.

Intercultural Communication
●​ Effective communication across different cultural backgrounds.
●​ Includes managing thought patterns and non-verbal cues.

Examples of Cultural Differences in Greetings

●​ Americans/Europeans – Shake hands and may hug.

●​ Indians – Join hands and say "Namaskar."
●​ Japanese – Bow as a sign of respect.

Social Media and Professionalism

●​ Social media reflects both your personal and professional brand.
●​ While employees have personal autonomy, their actions can affect the company’s
reputation.
 ●​ Social Media Fails Can Get You Fired – Poor judgment online can have real-world
consequences.

Key Takeaways

✔ Professionalism is not just about skill but also behavior and ethics.​
✔ Effective communication prevents misunderstandings and enhances workplace
relationships.​
✔ Different cultures have different communication styles – be aware and adapt.​
✔ Your online presence impacts your professional reputation.

Unit 2: Introduction to Computer Ethics

●​ Definition: Examines moral issues related to computing and IT.
●​ Questions whether ICT brings unique moral dilemmas.
●​ Stresses the importance of ethical decision-making in computing.

Morality vs. Ethics

●​ Morality: A code of conduct influenced by conscience, society, or religion.
○​ Traditional View: Universal moral principles.
○​ Contextual View: Morality depends on social and situational factors.
●​ Ethics: The philosophical study of morality, focusing on moral rules, justification, and
real-life applications.

Branches of Computer Ethics

1.​ Information Ethics – Concerns data privacy and security.
2.​ Internet Ethics – Examines online behavior and data usage.
3.​ Cyberethics – Covers broader ethical concerns in digital spaces.
4.​ Technoethics – Studies the moral implications of emerging technologies.

Experts' Definitions
 ●​ James Moor: Analyzes the nature and social impact of technology and formulates
ethical policies.
●​ Deborah Johnson: Identifies and raises awareness of ethical issues and approaches to
solve them.

Ethical Theories & Decision-Making

Descriptive vs. Normative Claims

●​ Descriptive Statements: State facts (e.g., "The sky is blue.").

●​ Normative Statements: Prescribe moral actions (e.g., "Stealing is wrong.").

Dialectic Method

A structured argumentation process to resolve contradictions and reach ethical conclusions.

Steps:

1.​ Identify issues.

2.​ Apply relevant laws and ethical principles.
3.​ Present alternative options.
4.​ Eliminate options and choose the best ethical solution.

Theoretical Frameworks in Computer Ethics

1. Consequentialist Framework (Utilitarianism & Ethical Egoism)

●​ Utilitarianism (Jeremy Bentham): Actions are morally right if they maximize happiness
for the majority.
○​ Example: AI chatbots replace human jobs but improve efficiency.
●​ Ethical Egoism (Henry Sidgwick): Actions are ethical if they benefit the individual in
the long run.
○​ Example: A software engineer takes high-profile projects for personal promotion.
●​ Altruism (Auguste Comte): Actions are ethical if they benefit others, even at a personal
cost.
○​ Example: A company invests in accessibility for disabled users despite higher
costs.

2. Duty-Based Ethics (Deontological Ethics – Immanuel Kant)

 ●​ Focuses on moral obligations, not consequences.
●​ Categorical Imperative: Universal moral laws apply to all situations.
●​ Application to Computer Ethics:
○​ Duty to honesty in software development.
○​ Duty to privacy and data protection.
○​ Duty to ensure accessibility in technology.
○​ Duty to protect against cyber threats.

3. Rights-Based Ethics

●​ South African Constitution: Protects human dignity, equality, and freedom.

●​ Key rights in Computer Ethics:
○​ Right to Property – Ownership of digital assets.
○​ Right to Privacy – Control over personal data.
○​ Right to Know – Access to information.
●​ Conflicts with Utilitarianism:
○​ Example: Slavery increased economic efficiency but violated human rights.
●​ Criticism: Rights must be balanced with ethical duties to ensure protection.

4. Character-Based Ethics (Virtue Ethics – Aristotle)

●​ Focuses on developing good character traits rather than following rules.

●​ Application to Computer Ethics:
○​ Transparency in software development.
○​ Fairness in algorithm design.
○​ Integrity in cybersecurity.
○​ Respect in digital interactions.

Ubuntu (African Philosophy of Ethics)

●​ Meaning: "A person is a person through other persons."
●​ Core values: Personhood, Identity, Humanness.
●​ Philosopher John Mbiti: Individuals exist within a community, not in isolation.
●​ Thaddeus Metz: Right actions promote shared identity and goodwill.

Application to Computer Ethics

 ●​ Recognizes software engineers as part of a broader community.
●​ Encourages collaboration and ethical responsibility in technology.

Comparison with Western Values

●​ Western culture emphasizes efficiency and individualism.

●​ Ubuntu prioritizes community and shared responsibility.
●​ Example: Refusing to share a phone in Western culture is about privacy, but in Ubuntu
culture, it may indicate selfishness or lack of trust.

Key Takeaways
✔ Ethical decision-making is crucial in IT and computing professions.​
✔ Different ethical theories provide structured approaches to moral dilemmas.​
✔ Utilitarianism values the majority's happiness, while deontology focuses on duty.​
✔ Rights-based ethics highlight individual freedoms but require corresponding duties.​
✔ Ubuntu promotes community-based morality, contrasting Western individualism.

Unit 3: Rationale for Computer Ethics

Your Ethics Space
●​ Existentialists - believe reality is self-defined and that ethics therefore is individual
●​ Idealists - believe that reality is rooted in spirit and and ideas and that ethics therefore
involves conforming to ideals
●​ Realists - believe that reality is nature and that ethics therefore involves acting
according to what is natural
●​ Pragmatists - believe that reality is not fixed but rather is in process and that ethics
therefore is practical

Assumptions and Values

●​ Individuals make conscious and unconscious decisions based on personal values.

●​ Values stem from deeply held moral beliefs and shape perspectives and choices.

Example Decision Scenarios:

●​ Should Katlego and I live together before marriage?

●​ Should I drop out of UCT due to perceived irrelevance and difficulty?
●​ How can I contribute to improving race relations in Cape Town?

Diverse Answers to Scenarios:

 ●​ Individuals will provide different answers based on varied value systems.

Understanding Values (Gaus)

●​ Values provide reasons for actions and guide choices.

●​ People argue about values and their correctness.
●​ People may agree to differ on values without either being wrong.
●​ Valuing is influenced by emotions, desires, and volition.

Values & Moral Decision-Making

●​ Individuals may follow principles of justice or fairness (e.g., sharing resources justly vs.
individual interests).
●​ Different perspectives exist; principles are not always universally shared.
●​ People rarely analyze the values guiding their decisions, especially in computer-related
jobs.

Non-Maleficence ("Above all, do no harm")

●​ Rooted in the Hippocratic Oath (5th century BCE).

●​ Encourages actions that do not inflict harm or evil on others.
●​ Example: Google’s motto – "Don’t be evil."
●​ Key principle: Be thoughtful and considerate.

Informed Consent

●​ Agreement must be freely given and fully understood.

●​ Common in scientific research and medical ethics.
●​ Based on accurate information and understanding of issues.
●​ Example: Department of Health’s guidelines on informed consent.

Ethical Relativism

●​ Ethics is relative – what is right for one may not be right for another.
●​ Moral beliefs change over time and across societies.
 ●​ The social environment influences moral ideals.
●​ Key question: Is there a universal right and wrong?

Golden Rule (Ethic of Reciprocity)

●​ Principle: Treat others as you would want to be treated.

●​ Found in many religions and cultures worldwide.
●​ Examples:
○​ Confucius (The Analects XV.24): "What you do not want done to yourself, do
not do to others."
○​ Christianity (Matthew 7:12): "Do to others what you would have them do to
you."

Conclusion

●​ Values shape daily decisions and interactions.

●​ Understanding different ethical principles aids moral reasoning.
●​ Ethical dilemmas require balancing non-maleficence, informed consent, relativism,
and reciprocity.

Unit 3: Professional Ethics

Are Computer Ethics Issues Unique?

No, They Are Not Unique:

●​ Ethical issues like privacy, property, and freedom exist across all fields, not just in
computing.​

●​ The introduction of computers does not fundamentally change the nature of ethical
concerns; it only increases efficiency.​

●​ Herman T. Tavani’s Argument:​

○​ It is a logical fallacy to assume that just because ICT has unique features, its
ethical issues must be unique.​
 ○​ Ethical concerns should be analyzed on a case-by-case basis rather than
assuming they are entirely new.

Yes, They Are Unique:

●​ Computers introduce new technologies that never existed before, leading to unique
ethical dilemmas.​

●​ James Moor’s Perspective:​

○​ Computer ethics is unlike any other field and is a new, distinct area of ethics
due to:​

1.​ Logical malleability – Computers can be programmed to perform a

limitless range of tasks.​

2.​ Transformative impact – Computing fundamentally changes social

structures and interactions.​

3.​ Invisibility factor – Most computer processes are hidden from users,
making ethical accountability complex.​

●​ Deborah Johnson’s Perspective:​

○​ Computers enable humans to do things they couldn't before and alter the way
we do existing tasks.​

○​ These changes often carry moral significance, making computer ethics a

crucial area of study.​

Counterpoint: Donald Gotterbarn’s View

●​ ICT is not necessarily "new" technology in the way some argue.​

●​ He challenges the idea that computing creates an entirely new ethical domain.

Three-Step Strategy for Approaching Computer Ethics Issues

1.​ Identify
a.​ Reveal hidden ethical issues
b.​ Assess sociological impact if issue is descriptive
 c.​ Check ethical guidelines if issue is normative
d.​ Proceed to step 2 if unresolved
2.​ Analyze
a.​ If a policy vacuum exists, go to step 2b; otherwise, go to step 3.
b.​ Clear up any conceptual muddles involving the policy vacuum and go to step 3.

3.​ Deliberate
a.​ Apply one or more ethical theories to the analysis of the moral issue, and then go
to step 3b.
b.​ Justify the position you reached by evaluating it via the standards and criteria for
successful logic argumentation

General Ethics in the Workplace

●​ Trust and Credibility - the foundation of professional relationships. Ethical employees
help build trust within teams and with clients.
●​ Honesty and Transparency - encourages open communication and reduces
misunderstandings or deceit in the workplace.
●​ Confidentiality - critical when handling sensitive or private information. A must in most
industries - finance, healthcare, government, etc.
●​ Accountability and Responsibility - taking ownership of your actions and decisions,
especially when things go wrong. Builds reliability and maturity.
●​ Legal and Ethical Obligations - following laws, regulations, and codes of conduct.
Reminds employees that ethics isn’t just about “being nice” but about protecting the
company and people.

Ethics in a Tech Workplace

What is its focus?
●​ Jobs in the tech industry often involve a heavy need for collaboration and teamwork
How can we apply ethics in an IT job?
●​ Practice the Principles of Effective Teamwork
○​ Be kind and respectful
○​ Be humble and willing to learn
●​ Follow through on commitments (Accountability and Responsibility)
●​ Do not harm nor disturb other people, their work, and their files (Confidentiality),
(Trust and Credibility)
●​ Think about the social consequences of the system you are designing (Legal and
Ethical Obligations)
●​ Do not do anything illegal on your computer (Legal and Ethical Obligations),
(Honesty and Transparency)

Benefits of Ethics in the Workplace

 ●​ Employee Satisfaction and Retention - ethical standards help establish a certain
expectation for how organizational operations affect employees’ wellbeing and personal
interests.
●​ Improved Workplace Culture - companies with a strong ethical foundation encourage
open communication and collaboration, fostering teamwork and innovation.
●​ Reduced Legal and Financial Risks - ethical workplaces minimize the risk of lawsuits,
penalties, and financial losses.
●​ Public Image and Brand Value - Acting ethically can significantly improve an
organization’s public image and avoid potential criticisms that would arise through
unethical behavior.

Work Life: Cultural Shifts

●​ From Transactional to Relational
○​ Shifting focus from bonuses to foundational care
○​ “PwC, the multinational professional services firm, reports that 52% of all
employees are “financially stressed”, meaning they’re unable to pa their bills,
struggling to pay bills, or have little or nothing left for savings, holidays, and
extras.”
●​ Emphasis on Holistic Wellbeing
○​ Physical and mental health benefits are central
○​ “Covering their monthly expenses is employees’ top concern and nearly 30% of
low-income workers take a second job or do gig work to supplement their
income”
●​ Increased Employee Expectations
○​ Employees expect organizations to show genuine care
○​ “ 60% of employees say their companies’ benefits do not currently meet their
needs, and only 37% feel their organization understands what they need in their
personal lives and for their families”
Effects:
●​ Quiet Quitting - a phenomenon observed in mostly the West where people do more
than the minimum effort required for a job.
○​ Some sources interchangeably use quiet quitting with “soft quitting”
●​ Job Hopping - a phenomenon where employees don’t mind not keeping the job
○​ Frequently switching employers (often every 1-3 years) in search of better pay,
opportunities, or work culture.
○​ Trend growing with the gig economy