Ethics in Information Technology and Relations

Question: Discuss about the Ethics in Information Technology and Relations. Answer: Introduction This particular study is mainly aimed to examine the Uber decision of the self-driving car trial in regards to the ethical context. Thus, four ethical theories such as contract theory, virtue theory, Deontological theory as well as Utilitarian theories have been considered to analyze the entire scenario. Therefore, this study is also aimed for identifying the ICT related issues based on that the ethically questionable positive or negative situation would be evaluated in terms of the regulation through the four theories. Discussion Uber is going to expand its trial of the self-driving cars, which puts this start-up giant one step closer towards the destruction of more than one million jobs if it becomes successful. According to Ubers perspective, they have near about 600000 drivers all over the world. However, the ride-sharing organization has stated that the cars without drivers would not happen but it should not be written off as the viable mode of transport (Bourke, 2017). Therefore, this decision taken by Uber has been opposed bitterly by the taxi industry incorporating in France, Germany, London as well as Australia. In addition, Uber has hailed in repetitive manner its capability for creating the flexible and new jobs in the sharing economy as the counter to the complaints made by the taxi industry. Identification of ICT-related Ethical Issue The major ICT related issues along with this particular study are social inclusion as well as the Security concern for the driver and the travelers. The Self-driving cars are also known as the autonomous cars. A self-driving car is such kind of vehicle that is able to sense its environment as well as navigate without the input provided by the human beings (Denis, 2015). These cars are able to detect the surroundings with the help of various methodologies like computer vision, odometry, GPS, Lidar as well as radar. However, these cars can face the moral dilemmas. In other words, the Autonomous vehicles or the self-driving cars may put people in the situation of life-or-death. The introduction of the self-driving cars to the mass market results expected for the reduction in the crashes by up to 90 % as well as their accessibility towards the young, elderly and disabled passengers. Apart from that, there still remain few ethical conflicts thos e have not been yet completely resolved (Engle Crowne, 2014). Those incorporate but are not limited within criminal, financial as well as moral responsibility for the crashes. On the other hand, another crucial ethical issue is there associated with the launch of self-driving car by Uber. With the launch of the self-driving cars can result in the destruction of numerous drivers of the Uber cars. However, according to the statement of the Uber drivers, they are not very worried this self-driving car trial. This is simply because of the fact that car driving the side job for many of the Uber drivers. Application of Utilitarian Theory This particular theory focuses on the positive and the negative results for selecting one action or policy over the other actions as well as policies. This theory has two major principles such as rule-utilitarianism and Act-utilitarianism. Rule-utilitarianism deals with the determination of the validation of the rules of conduct. Apart from that, Act-utilitarianism is applied directly to the each alternative act in the selecting situation. Most important fact associated with this theory is that among the other three ethical approaches, this particular theory is actively applicable in this scenario (Chiu et al., 2014). Therefore, according to this theory, an idea can be suggested that any decision taken by the automobile or the transport organizations must be made depending on the objective in terms of maximizing the utility. The issues related to the privacy mainly arise from the self-driving cars interconnectivity, making it just the other mobile d evice, which can collect any detail regarding a particular individual (Mallia, 2015). On the other hand, the potential loss in most of the jobs of the drivers for an estimated decline of accidents by up to 90 % would have a crucial influence over the individuals who are involved within it. Application of Deontological Theory This particular theory in the ethical ground plays a significant role in terms of placing a special as well as proper focus on the relation between the responsibility and the morality or the activities or duties those are governed by the human beings. However, there is major difference between the Utilitarian theory as well as Deontological Theory (Kehoe, 2015). Therefore, this prime difference is that the former system has generally focused over the fact whether an activity or operation is positive or negative intrinsically while the latter system keeps faith that the issues behind the act is the only essential factor. Thus, Utilitarianism focuses on only the outputs. On the other side, Deontology is only concerned about the intentions and the motives (Tuan Shaw, 2016). Among the other three ethical approaches, this particular theory is actively applicable in this scenario. According to this particular theory, it can also be suggested that an au tonomous car or the self-driving car has to follow the proper as well as strict written-out rules and regulations, which requires following in any kind of situation. Application of Virtue Theory This particular theory in the ethical ground plays a crucial role in terms of emphasizing the character of an individual as the major factor for the ethical point of view rather than the rules regarding the acts (Sosa, 2015). On the other hand, in comparison to the above two ethical approaches, this particular theory is not that much applicable in this scenario as the proportion of the positive virtue or the positive implications of the autonomous or the self-driving cars is not that much noticeable. Application of Contract Theory this particular theory is that specific study that entails the way through which the individuals and the businesses construct and develop the legal agreements in the ethical grounds. In this regard, it would become very easier with the help of this theory to analyze the approach with that several parties can take decisions to create a deal with particular terms in case uncertain conditions take place (Russell, 2014). On the other hand, this theory is useful to cover how the individuals as well as businesses make deals with the asymmetric information. However, in comparison to the above two ethical approaches (Utilitarian and Deontological theory), this particular theory is not that much applicable in this scenario as it is little difficult for Uber in terms of making legal agreements for starting self-driving cars as it is comprised several completions. In contradiction, it would be possible to construct legal agreements as the uber drivers are not wor ried about losing their jobs. Conclusion This study has performed successfully a deepened analysis regarding ethical conflicts of the Uber trial of the self-driving cars. From this study it can be seen that Utilitarian and Deontological theory is well-applicable in the given scenario. Therefore, these theories have helped for reaching a conclusion of this study. 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