Consequences of Computing:
A Framework for Teaching
The Conceptual Framework - Page 8 of 36
The Interaction of the Dimensions
The shaded areas in Figure 2 presents a picture of hypothetical areas of social and ethical
concern for four particular technologies. Note that each technology will have differing areas
of concern, and that each area is described by both a level of social analysis and an ethical
issue. As stressed earlier, each of the three analytical approaches represented by the three
dimensions in Figure 2 (ethics, social science, technology) is important in its own right.
Each has its own practitioners, literature, and approach. The principles and skills associated
with each dimension will be considered in more detail below. But, it is important to note that
any ethical or social issue in computing will always be multidimensional and thus requires caref
ul presentation. Some knowledge of these dimensions on the part of the instructor would be
essential to the success of a course on social and ethical issues in computing. Many readings
or texts are likely to assume some disciplinary slant, and familiarity with the discipline will
help in explaining the assumptions and predilections of a particular slant.
However, the important thing to note is that all three approaches are essential to
understanding any particular issue. General principles about social analysis may be useful,
but need to be connected with their implications for ethical practice in computer science.
Ethical principles of argument need to be anchored in the uses and effects of particular
technologies at particular levels of social analysis. Reviews of the various technologies
available need to be conducted in light of the social situations and ethical concerns they
Figure 2. An example of different technologies and their areas of concern
This multidimensionality is represented in Figure 2. You can see that any particular issue,
such as privacy in corporate records or risks in medical technology will cover many levels of
social analysis, several different ethical issues, and will be spread across differing
implementations of the technology. A careful analysis of any issue must address all these
dimensions. Even a short analysis like one found in a module in a course needs at least to
make students aware of the complexity of what may seem to be a simple problem.