At Iverson Software, we build systems, but Ethics determines the values those systems uphold. Ethics—or moral philosophy—is the study of right and wrong, virtue and vice, and the obligations we have toward one another. Whether you are a student, a developer, or a business leader, ethics provides the framework for making decisions that are not just “efficient,” but “right.”
1. Deontology: The Rule-Based System
Deontology, famously championed by Immanuel Kant, argues that morality is based on duties and rules. In the world of technology and information, this is the philosophy of Standard Operating Procedures:
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Universal Laws: Acting only according to rules that you would want to become universal laws for everyone.
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Privacy and Consent: The idea that people have an inherent right to privacy that should never be violated, regardless of the potential “data benefits.”
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Inherent Value: Treating individuals as “ends in themselves” rather than just “users” or “data points” in a system.
2. Utilitarianism: Optimizing for the Greater Good
Utilitarianism focuses on the outcomes of our actions. It suggests that the most ethical choice is the one that produces the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
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Cost-Benefit Analysis: Evaluating a new software feature based on its net positive impact on society.
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Resource Allocation: In an educational reference context, this means prioritizing information that has the widest possible utility.
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The “Bug” in the System: The challenge of utilitarianism is ensuring that the rights of the minority aren’t sacrificed for the benefit of the majority.
3. Virtue Ethics: Building the Character of the Creator
Rather than focusing on rules or outcomes, Virtue Ethics (derived from Aristotle) focuses on the character of the person acting. It asks: “What kind of person would do this?”
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Integrity: Ensuring that our digital references are accurate and unbiased because we value the virtue of Truth.
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Practical Wisdom (Phronesis): The ability to apply ethical principles to real-world situations that don’t have a clear rulebook.
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Professionalism: For developers, this means writing clean, secure code as a matter of personal and professional excellence.
4. Applied Ethics: Facing the Challenges of 2025
Ethics is not just a theoretical exercise; it is a practical necessity for modern challenges:
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Algorithmic Bias: Ensuring that the AI models we use in educational software don’t reinforce societal prejudices.
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Data Sovereignty: Respecting the rights of individuals and communities to control their own digital identities.
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Sustainability: Considering the energy consumption and environmental impact of the servers that power our digital world.
Why Ethics Matters to Our Readers
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Principled Leadership: Understanding ethics helps you lead teams and projects with a clear sense of purpose and integrity.
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Critical Evaluation: It allows you to look past a product’s “features” and ask hard questions about its societal impact.
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Trust and Loyalty: In a crowded market, users gravitate toward companies and platforms that demonstrate a consistent commitment to ethical behavior.
