Authors:
Tero Vartiainen
1
and
Mikko T. Siponen
2
Affiliations:
1
University of Jyväskylä, Finland
;
2
University of Oulu, Finland
Keyword(s):
Computer ethics teaching
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Enterprise Information Systems
;
Human Factors
;
Human-Computer Interaction
;
Physiological Computing Systems
Abstract:
Computer ethics is recognized as an essential component of information systems curricula. However, little is known about how students perceive the usefulness and usability of ethics theories in solving computer-related moral conflicts, and what kinds of mistakes they make in solving moral problems by applying those theories. To fill this gap, an interpretive qualitative and quantitative study (n=20) was conducted to determine the defects, perceived usefulness and usability of alternative ethics theories (utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, virtue ethics, prima-facie principles, Rawls' veil of ignorance) in computer ethics teaching. The results shed a new light on the use of these theories in this field of education, and also suggest new directions for it.