CISB412 Ethics and IT Professionals Practises

2014/2015

Assignment 1

JoelRaj a/l Victor Davaraj

Jagatheesan a/l Kunasaikaran
Yageswaran a/l Ramar
Givita a/p Rama Roa
Jimmy
Haravindnaath a/l Atmalinggam

Question 1 - Jagatheesan & Joel Raj

Explain the differences between the following, provide an example to support each answer
1. Ethics and moral ethics
2. Ethics and etiquette
3. Being unethical and being illegal

1. Ethics is a set of rules that an individual needs to follow. Usually this rules comes through
their profession or religion. Morals ethics is an individuals feeling on what is right and wrong.

2. Ethics is a code that a business organization or an individual adheres to. On the other hand,
etiquette is a set of practices that an individual follows in certain situations. For example,
attending a formal dinner in a high-class restaurant.

3. Illegal is against the law. Illegal is objective, whereby it either exist or it doesnt. Unethical can
be against the law or not. It is also subjective whereby what an individuals thinks as unethical is
ethical to another person.

Question 2
1. Subjective Relativism - Givita
Description
Decision made by a person which can be right or wrong depending on him or herself.
Scenario in which the theory can be applied
Ali collects donation in term of money at few public train stations thinking he could collect
a little amount and donate it to few orphan to help them in their financial issue.
However, he did not ask permission from the authorized person or get any licence to
collect donation at public area before he starts to collecting the donation think he has a
good and reasonable intention.
Pro/Cons
Pros - Based on individual preference, its a correct decision for few individuals.
Cons - Might be against the rules.
Workable Theory Yes/No
Not a workable theory.

2. Cultural Relativism - Givita

Description
the right and wrong is based on societys actual moral guidelines.
Scenario in which the theory can be applied
Clothing issue at western countries compared to Malaysia. At western country they are
more social and prefer to dress up according to ones preference with no any against in
their society.
However, in Malaysia we have few rules in clothing and Malaysian prefer to put on
something decent because our society accepts the clothing rules in Malaysia.
Pro/Cons
Pros - Open Minded.
Cons - Might be against other society rules.
Workable Theory Yes/No
Not a workable theory.

3. Divine Command Theory - Haravindnaath

Description
Scenario in which the theory can be applied
Pro/Cons
Workable Theory Yes/No

4. Ethical Egoism - Haravindnaath

Description
Scenario in which the theory can be applied
Pro/Cons
Workable Theory Yes/No
5. Kantianism - Yageswaran

Description

Peoples actions ought to be guided by moral laws and these laws must be based on
reason.Reason should cultivate desire to do right thing.Focus in on what ought to be
done/do the right thing - dutifulness.A dutiful person feels compelled to act in a certain
way out of respect for some moral rule.

Scenario in which the theory can be applied

With Kantian ethics helping an old lady across the street because you feel pity for her is
NOT a moral act.
Likewise, helping an old lady because your coworker will think highly of you is NOT a
moral act.
However, helping an old lady because you have a sense of duty to help the elderly IS a
moral act.

Pro/Cons
Workable Theory Yes/No

6. Act utilitarianism - Yageswaran

Description
Scenario in which the theory can be applied
Pro/Cons
Workable Theory Yes/No

7. Rule Utilitarianism - Jimmy

Description
Scenario in which the theory can be applied
Pro/Cons
Workable Theory Yes/No

8. Social Contract Theory - Jimmy

Description
Scenario in which the theory can be applied
Pro/Cons
Workable Theory Yes/No