Should Computers Have Human Rights? An Ethical Exploration

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SCHOOL OF COMPUTING AND MATHS, Charles Sturt University
If computers think for themselves, should they have human rights
ITC506 201960 Assessment 4: Applying Ethical Theory
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1. Introduction
This assessment is generally developed as a reflection of the previous argument visualization on
the topic stated in the selected article in reference of ethical issues present in the article. The
assessment includes certain logical arguments and statements in relation of the ethical issues
stated in the article with the topic, “If computers think for themselves, should they have rights”.
The assessment aims to reflect arguments and statements on the basis of ethical theories and
further aims to develop effective solution for the ethical issues. Apart from this the assessment
also includes a discussion of reasons and objection reflected in the argument visualization for
efficiently and effectively demonstrate conclusion of the ethical issues in the article and further
the assessment include an analysis of ethical situations in the article with the implementation of
critical thinking technique as for establishing solution of emerging ethical issues in relation of
ICT concept. Moreover, the whole assessment aims to provide an efficient explanation of the
impact of ethical issues on ICT and various technologies.
2. Analysis Applying Ethical Theories
The analysis of applying ethical theories reflects the explanation of the significant of ethical
theories implementation in reference of the article and the ethical issues demonstrated in the
article. The ethical theories are applied on the legal and ethical argument as reflected in the
argument visualization on intelligent software deserves all the rights that human has in the
society (De Wit, et. al., 2014). The application of ethical theories on the argument
visualization and the ethical issues addressed in the selected article are stated below:
2.1. Utilitarianism Theory: This theory usually associates with ethical decisions which
develop on the basis of the actions consequences and its impact on the user of
intelligent software in the society. According to utilitarianism theory, the correct
action taken over ethical issues usually produces desired outcomes for efficiently
solving the ethical issues. The theory states that an computer rights is morally
permissible in the human society if the consequences emerged from computer rights
leads to production of efficient amount of good impact and outcome for the large
number of human in the society in reference of intelligent software and ICT. The
ethical issue of whether intelligent software or computers deserves rights in the
human society just as human rights could be resolved through utilitarianism
perspective as this develop ethical solutions through undertaking the consideration of
social utility principle as for determining morality and amount its impact on various
factors in the human society. The utilitarianism perspective also consider the aspect
of human and customer safety from the advanced technology and artificial
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intelligence ethical issue as stated in the article as this ethical issue leads to the
emergence of ethical situations in the human society as utilitarian perspective
develop solution through analyzing the impact of artificial intelligence and their
rights on human.
Moreover, utilitarian theory is considered and applied on the ethical issues reflected
in the article as it develop solution through analyzing the impact of ethical issues and
further establish appropriate rules and safety for human while using computer and
other artificial intelligence. Apart from this, utilitarian theory undertakes the
consideration of the benefit and disadvantage that the ethical issues lead in reference
of the consequences by the ethical issues and ethical solutions. Utilitarian theory also
considers and analyzes the desirable outcome and best act to support computer rights
in human society through ensuring human safety (Rankin, 2015).
2.2. Deontology Theory: The deontology theory is generally reflected as duty-based
ethical theory as this theory analyze the morality of the ethical issues emerge in the
article on the basis of duty and obligations that both humans and computer have in
the human society. Deontology theory usually develops ethical solutions on the basis
of strong ethics and for the ethical issue of whether computer and other artificial
intelligence deserves rights just as human in the human society the deontology theory
develop its solution through analyzing and identifying the roles of intelligent
software in human society. The deontology perspective also develop solution through
seeking and analyzing the duty of computers and other intelligent software in human
society as for further developing computers rights just as human. Moreover, the
deontology theory is undertaken in consideration in reference of article as this theory
enables to establish a solution of the ethical issue of impacting ethics, policy and law
related with human and ICT on the basis of impartiality and rightful perspective
(Ionita, et. al., 2013).
Moreover, deontology theory is applied on the ethical issue of the article as it
undertakes ethical decision and solutions on the basis of rational and impartial aspect
as for further efficiently dealing with ethical issues of computer’s rights as human
rights. Apart from this, deontology theory also develop ethical solution for the ethical
issues through analyzing the conflicts that emerge from the ethical issues, potential of
the outcomes on the basis of computer and intelligent software duty in human society
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and measurement of the ethics present in the decisions which support solution for the
ethical issues. The deontology theory also focuses on concept and aspect which
supports fair actions and consequences along with the consideration of computer and
artificial intelligent role and duty in the evolution of human lifestyle and society
scientifically and also for scientific development of human society (Lindahl, et. al.,
2012).
2.3. Virtue Theory: This theory is basically dependent on philosophical reasoning and
focuses on belief which supports right perspective and concept in reference of a set
of principles and rules of morality. The virtue theory also develops ethical solution
on the basis of right virtues, strengths and morality through analyzing the ethical
issues and its action consequences. This theory also stresses more on the
development of morality in ethical decision as for further supporting ethical
education in reference of ethical issues discussions. This theory also develop ethical
decision and solution for the ethical of issue for computers rights in human society
through identifying suitable philosophical reasoning in contrast of ethical issues and
discussion of ethical issues for seeking the aspect that leads to the emergence of
ethical issues. Virtue perspective develop the statement of human safety from
artificial intelligent and computers right in human society as a central consideration
for virtue ethical decision of the ethical issue as for further developing effective
ethical decisions and solutions. The virtue ethical theory also understand the ethical
issues and situation in contrast of computers and artificial intelligence rights in
human society for further developing effective ethical solutions and the theory also
includes the consideration of relevant philosophical reasoning and aspects in
reference of the intelligence software for the evolution of human society
scientifically (Vanderlinde, et. al., 2012).
2.4. Contract Theory: This theory generally associated with the ways people live
together in society in context of the agreement of certain moral and political rules for
the behavior of human in society. The contract theory concerns that if human live
together in society according to social contract then it ensures that human could live
morally by own choice. Apart from this, the contract theory includes the perspective
that break of certain moral rules leads to the emergence of negative consequences
which further leads to the emergence of ethical situation in human society. This
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theory outlines the aspect of ethical issues of computers rights in humans society just
as human through undertaking the consideration of legal and ethical argument on
computer rights which further reflects both positive and negative aspects such as
computer rights further threaten human safety in society while on other hand
computer are regarded as significant for the evolution of human society. Thus this
theory develops ethical solution on the basis of complete analysis of both the
negative and positive aspect as it enables to efficiently handle the ethical situation
and address both relation and communication between intelligent software and
human in reference of ICT.
Moreover, contract theory applied on the ethical situations and issues of the article as
it analyze the ethical issues under the consideration of certain rules and guidelines as
the moral concept as it further supports ethical and moral decisions. The
consideration of rules and guidelines make the ethical theory more appropriate for its
implementation on ethical issues of computers rights as the concept of rules and
guidelines enables to include the aspect of social norms within ethical solution as for
supporting safety of human and also maintain computers significant in human society
(Jones, 2017).
3. Conclusion
The assessment is basically developed as a reflection assessment of the argument
visualization of mind-map of the selected article which demonstrates ethical issues, ethical
situations and application of ethical theory. This assessment generally includes an overall
analysis of the selected article along with the description of the ethical issues which further
leads to the emergence of ethical situations in reference of computer’s rights in human
society. Moreover, this assessment includes the discussion of appropriate ethical theories
along with the demonstration of their application on ethical issues for further efficiently
handling the ethical issues and developing effective ethical solutions. This assessment also
aims to describe the impact of ethical issues and situation for defining the importance of the
formation of ethical solutions for avoiding ethical issues.
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References
 De Wit, K., Heerwegh, D., & Verhoeven, J. (2014). Can openness to ICT and
scientific research predict the ICT skills and ICT use of bachelor’s students?
Computers and Education, 78, 397–413.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2014.07.003. https://www-sciencedirect-
com.ezproxy.scu.edu.au/science/article/pii/S0360131514001547
 Ionita, G., & Ionita-Burda, S. (2013). SOME ISSUES ON THE LEGAL
PROTECTION OF COMPUTER PROGRAMS. Journal of Information Systems &
Operations Management, 1–11. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/1372122985/. https://search-proquest-
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%2Fsid%3Aprimo
 Jones, M. (2017). The right to a human in the loop: Political constructions of
computer automation and personhood. Social Studies of Science, 47(2), 216–239.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0306312717699716. https://journals-sagepub-
com.ezproxy.scu.edu.au/doi/full/10.1177/0306312717699716
 Lindahl, M., & Folkesson, A. (2012). Can we let computers change practice?
Educators’ interpretations of preschool tradition. Computers in Human Behavior,
28(5), 1728–1737. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2012.04.012. https://www-
sciencedirect-com.ezproxy.scu.edu.au/science/article/pii/S0747563212001161
 Rankin, J. (2015). From the Mainframes to the Masses: A Participatory Computing
Movement in Minnesota Education. Information & Culture, 50(2), 197–216.
https://doi.org/10.7560/IC50204.
http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.scu.edu.au/ehost/detail/detail?
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sessmgr06&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=102377305&db=aph
 Vanderlinde, R., Van Braak, J., & Dexter, S. (2012). ICT policy planning in a context
of curriculum reform: Disentanglement of ICT policy domains and artifacts.
Computers and Education, 58(4), 1339–1350.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2011.12.007. https://www-sciencedirect-
com.ezproxy.scu.edu.au/science/article/pii/S036013151100323X
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