An exploratory analysis of Computing Ethics practices and instruction through Brazilian cyberspace

Abstract

The heterogeneity and plurality of actors and the possible issues that influence Ethical Decision-Making (EDM) make EDM a multi-faceted phenomenon. This research aims to (i) investigate the training or instructional path in ethics or computing ethics, and (ii) investigate these phenomena from ethics of resistance disruptive, critical, and innovative perspective. The simplification and reduction of the holistic panorama partially explain that empirical research on this topic has failed to generate cumulative results. Therefore, we collect and analyze four hundred and thirty-four responses from a questionnaire, mostly from computer experts associated with their instruction on ethics and “immoral” or “unethical” practices that they have been involved in, directly or indirectly. Based on the results obtained, the main contribution is an interpretive and exploratory computing ethics/ethics discussion about instruction and the morality of practices through cyberspace.

Keywords

• ethical decision-making
• computing ethics
• cyberculture
• computing ethics instruction