Flashcards on Ethical Theories and Modern Dilemmas
Ethical Theories and Modern Dilemmas: A Student Guide
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Ethics of Technology
38 cards
Card 1
Question: What is one major ethical concern linked to technology related to information sharing?
Answer: The spread of misinformation through social media platforms, where information travels rapidly but often at the expense of accuracy and truth.
Card 2
Question: Why does misinformation spread quickly on digital platforms?
Answer: Because information can travel globally within seconds and people often share emotionally charged content without verifying sources.
Card 3
Question: How can misinformation affect society during global crises?
Answer: It can influence public opinion, cause confusion, panic, division, and damage trust in institutions during events like elections, wars, or pandemics.
Card 4
Question: How do social media algorithms contribute to the spread of misinformation?
Answer: Algorithms are designed to maximise engagement, so sensational or misleading content is often amplified because it generates more clicks and attention
Card 5
Question: From a utilitarian perspective, why is algorithm-driven amplification of sensational content unethical?
Answer: Because the overall harm caused to society outweighs the temporary entertainment or profit gained by companies.
Card 6
Question: What are two ethical issues related to artificial intelligence and surveillance technologies?
Answer: They can reinforce bias and discrimination and are used to monitor behaviour and make decisions without transparency or accountability.
Card 7
Question: How does biased training data affect AI outcomes?
Answer: If AI is trained on biased human data, the system's outcomes will also be biased, leading to unfair treatment of certain groups.
Card 8
Question: Give two examples of AI systems that can produce unfair or problematic outcomes.
Answer: Recruitment algorithms that disadvantage certain groups and facial recognition systems with racial inaccuracies.
Card 9
Question: From a rights-based ethical perspective, why are biased AI systems problematic?
Answer: They violate principles of fairness and justice because individuals may be treated unequally without dignity, transparency, or accountability.
Card 10
Question: How has technology influenced unethical behaviour among young people academically?
Answer: Many learners misuse AI tools or online platforms to cheat academically instead of developing genuine understanding and critical thinking.