Classification of moral issues in computing

Ethical egoism and altruism

Case 1: Roger designed a computer program that would make detection of enemy codes easier.

Altruism

The program that Roger designed can help others protect their programs or can be used by his country to shield their information systems from the terrorist.

Egoism

Rogers feels more superior that he was able to detect enemy codes and protect his program.
Roger can sell or share his program for profit or self-satisfaction.

Case 2: Perla plans to buy licensed software in the U.S. using royalties from the sale of her book on computer ethics, and donate the software to her alma mater.

Altruism

The software she will be donating will be used by the students of her alma mater or the staff of her alma mater.

Egoism

Perla donating the software will earn her a good reputation and praise from her alma mater.
Perla justifies hers act of selling her computer ethics book by donating the software she will be buying to her alma mater.

Case 3: Marjo wants to create a virus that would affect only laptop operations

Altruism

The virus that Marjo created can be used by authority or government to attack information system of terrorist or leftist.

Egoism

Marjo wants to create something that will be a cause of destruction and will be a reason for his popularity. The virus he created needs an anti-virus that only he can also cure.

Case 4: Baba debugged a secret code of the NBI that allowed her to access all computer systems of the agency. She plans to sabotage the whole system as a form of revenge for what she considers to be NBI’s violation of her human right.

Altruism

Baba can change information on the NBI files and for that purpose can get charges.

Egoism

Baba fells he is better than the government agency and feels superior than the government for he can make changes on the files.

Case 5: Tikya and John-John were contracted to design and develop a website for government agencies in the Philippines at the cost of P1M. An added feature of the contract is that they would be contracted as computing consultants of the government.

Altruism

Tikya and John- John will be helping the Filipino citizen by improving the services of government agencies thus will give them respect.

Egoism

Tikya and John-John already had projects for the government plus the prestige of being consultants of the government.