Title: The Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics

Author: the Computer Ethics Institute
Date: April 16, 2001 (last update)
Source: Assigned on Course Page
Location: http://www.cpsr.org/issues/ethics/cei

The Biblical Ten Commandments seem to state things in black and white, yet we know that most things are never quite so simple. Complications abound even for such a straight-forward commandment as "Thou shalt not murder." What about punishment for someone who does murder - is the death sentence fair, or is it breaking the same commandment over again? What about killing in war? What about self-defense?

Likewise, although the Computer Ethics Institute's Ten Commandments seem fairly simple and easy to understand, I am sure volumes could be written about each one. However, they serve the same purpose as the Biblical commandments - they give a framework for ethical behavior.

Just the other day on NPR I heard a report about a study done where people were divided into three groups and given a math test . The math was easy, but it was a timed test and the time given was very short - not long enough to really even complete half the test. Before the test, one group was given the Ten Commandments (biblical) to read, the other groups were not. At the end of the test, one of the groups that didn't read the commandments simply turned in their tests and they were graded. The other two groups were told to rip up their tests and tell the study people how many problems they thought they'd gotten correct. Based on the graded tests, both of the ungraded groups said they'd gotten more problems correct than they possibly could have, but the group that had not read the commandments first reported that they'd gotten at least twice as many problems correct as the ones who had read the commandments reported. In other words, just reading the Ten Commandments made people less likely to lie, even non-religious people!

So, perhaps people just need to be constantly reminded of what is ethical, and perhaps these Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics should be posted by every person's computer in every business and home around the world!

1. Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people.
2. Thou shalt not interfere with other people's computer work.
3. Thou shalt not snoop around in other people's computer files.
4. Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.
5. Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness.
6. Thou shalt not copy or use proprietary software for which you have not paid.
7. Thou shalt not use other people's computer resources without authorization or proper compensation.
8. Thou shalt not appropriate other people's intellectual output.
9. Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you are writing or the system you are designing.
10. Thou shalt always use a computer in ways that ensure consideration and respect for your fellow humans.