Ethics lesson 2 class 2B

• Communicatie
• HBO
• Studiejaar 2

Homework review

What is the first step in the ethical cycle by Van de Poel and Royakkers?

1. Reflection
2. Moral Judgement
3. Problem Analysis
4. Formulating options

Which of the following is a criticism of Big Tech's approach to AI ethics according to the MIT article?

1. They rely too much on government regulation
2. Their ethics teams often lack power and influence
3. They avoid using AI altogether
4. They publish all research openly

What is the main goal of phase 4 in the ethical cycle?

1. Reflecting on peer feedback
2. Making an ethical judgement
3. Gathering data
4. Citing academic sources

What is the purpose of the “visual representation presentation” in the course?

1. To showcase design skills
2. To present the entire research and ethical cycle visually
3. To explain coding techniques
4. To promote group projects

Chapter 1: Responsibility

What distinguishes passive responsibility from active responsibility?

1. Passive responsibility focuses on moral norms, while active responsibility deals with legal regulations.
2. Passive responsibility requires societal approval, while active responsibility relies on personal conviction.
3. Passive responsibility occurs after an event, while active responsibility is proactive.
4. Passive responsibility involves legal obligations, while active responsibility is informal.

According to the text, responsibility is often linked to:

1. Roles individuals have in specific situations
2. Societal norms
3. Economic status
4. Personal achievements

What is the primary focus of Chapter 1 of the text?

1. Discussing the role of argumentation in ethical discourse
2. The importance of ethics in modern society
3. Defining and exploring the concept of responsibility
4. Analyzing different types of moral frameworks

Define "fallacy" based on chapter 1.

Based on the provided text, a fallacy can be defined as an error or deficiency in an argument. It seems correct at first glance but upon closer examination, it proves to be incorrect. Fallacies can mislead individuals and detract from the validity of an argument. There are two main types of fallacies: formal fallacies and informal fallacies. Formal fallacies are determined solely by the form or structure of an argument, while informal fallacies are based on considerations of the context and content of the arguments. 

What are some examples of informal fallacies?

Examples of informal fallacies include:

Attack on the person (Ad Hominem): This fallacy occurs when an attempt is made to discredit an argument by questioning the character or qualities of the person presenting the argument instead of addressing the argument itself.

Confusion of law and ethics: This fallacy arises when someone assumes that if an action is not illegal, it is therefore ethical. However, ethics encompasses more than just legality, and not all unethical actions are illegal.

Straw person: In this fallacy, a person misrepresents or exaggerates an opponent's argument in order to make it easier to attack, rather than engaging with the actual argument presented.

Wishful thinking: This fallacy occurs when a person interprets facts or events according to what they would like to be true, rather than based on actual evidence or rational reasoning.

Naturalistic fallacy: This fallacy involves deducing normative statements solely from descriptive statements, erroneously assuming that what is the case is necessarily what ought to be the case.

Ambiguity: Fallacies of ambiguity arise when words or phrases are unclear and can be interpreted in multiple ways, leading to confusion or misinterpretation of the argument.

These fallacies can hinder logical reasoning and lead to flawed conclusions if not recognized and addressed.

Attack on the Person (Ad Hominem):

Example: "Of course, the CEO claims the company is doing well, but we all know he's just trying to protect his own hefty salary."

Confusion of law and ethics:

 This fallacy arises when someone assumes that if an action is not illegal, it is therefore ethical. However, ethics encompasses more than just legality, and not all unethical actions are illegal.

Straw person:

 In this fallacy, a person misrepresents or exaggerates an opponent's argument in order to make it easier to attack, rather than engaging with the actual argument presented.

Wishful thinking: 

This fallacy occurs when a person interprets facts or events according to what they would like to be true, rather than based on actual evidence or rational reasoning.

Naturalistic fallacy: 

This fallacy involves deducing normative statements solely from descriptive statements, erroneously assuming that what is the case is necessarily what ought to be the case. (e.g. what is natural, is good).

Normative = based on standard norms

erroneously = in a mistaken way/incorrectly

EG - not treating cancer, not taking vaccines, not cutting down dead trees, etc. 

Ambiguity: 

Fallacies of ambiguity arise when words or phrases are unclear and can be interpreted in multiple ways, leading to confusion or misinterpretation of the argument.

Think of word salad

Which fallacy occurs when someone interprets facts according to their desires rather than objective evidence?

1. Attack on the person
2. Confusion of law and ethics
3. Straw person
4. Wishful thinking

What is the naturalistic fallacy?

1. Attacking an individual's character instead of their argument
2. Confusing legal and moral standards
3. Misstating an opponent's position to make it easier to refute
4. Deriving normative statements solely from descriptive statements

In ethical discourse, what is the purpose of argumentation?

1. To generate emotional responses
2. To manipulate opinions
3. To confuse the audience
4. To arrive at logical conclusions

Which skill set is considered essential for developing moral competence?

1. Technical expertise & professional degrees
2. Moral sensibility, analysis, creativity, judgment, decision-making, and argumentation skills
3. Physical/mental strength, argumentation skills, high IQ
4. Emotional intelligence, empathy, discipline & courage

According to the text, what are the criteria for holding someone passively responsible?

1. Legal background, financial stability, and moral integrity
2. Social status, educational attainment, and professional expertise
3. Wrongdoing, causal contribution, foreseeability, and freedom of action
4. Cultural background, religious beliefs, and personal preferences

Chapter 4: The Ethical Cycle

Re-read and take detailed notes on chapter 4 (the Ethical Cycle)!

Break

Take 5 minutes and think about which topic you want to write about.

TOPICS

Today's practice topic:

1. Privacy Concerns in IoT Devices

• Topic: Explore the ethical implications of IoT devices collecting and sharing personal data without explicit consent, and examine legal frameworks such as GDPR and CCPA.

• You can search for articles in academic databases such as the InHolland library databases, IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect, or Google Scholar using keywords like "IoT privacy," "IoT ethics," or "GDPR IoT."

Iris: library tile

Search: Internet of Things or related keyword (tip: select peer reviewed sources)

CARS

In research, the CARS criteria are often used to evaluate the credibility, accuracy, relevance, and significance of sources. CARS stands for:

Credibility

Accuracy

Relevance

Significance

Credibility

This criterion assesses the trustworthiness of the source. It considers factors such as the author's expertise, the publication's reputation, and whether the information is supported by evidence.

Cites: 204 sources

Cited by: 579 sources

Peer reviewed article in an established academic journal

Main author is a professor at Georgia Institute of Technology in USA with a PhD; specializes in supply chain management and is a leading researcher.

Accuracy: Accuracy examines whether the information presented in the source is reliable and free from errors or bias. It involves verifying the facts, checking for inconsistencies, and assessing the quality of evidence provided.

Relevance: Relevance measures the extent to which the information in the source is pertinent to the topic or research question. It evaluates whether the content addresses the specific aspects of the subject under investigation and contributes meaningfully to the discussion.

Significance: 

Significance evaluates the importance or impact of the information within the context of the research. It considers factors such as the originality of the content, its potential influence on the field, and its contribution to existing knowledge.

ASSIGNMENT

Based on the CARS criteria, find 4 sources in the InHolland library database (at least one peer reviewed and one published January 1, 2025 or more recently) and export all of them to a RefWorks folder titled "Ethics workshop". Generate a bibliography (reference list) in APA and be prepared to share with the class.

Homework

Watch the Trolley Problem video and have your ethical argument for the best option prepared for the next class: YouTube link

Review ch. 4 (The Ethical Cycle) in Royakkers

Read ch. 3 (Normative Ethics) in Royakkers

See you next week!