Improving skill development: an exploratory study comparing a philosophical and an applied ethical analysis technique

Abstract

This exploratory study compares and contrasts two types of critical thinking techniques; one is a philosophical and the other an applied ethical analysis technique. The two techniques analyse an ethically challenging situation involving ICT that a recent media article raised to demonstrate their ability to develop the ethical analysis skills of ICT students and professionals. In particular the skill development focused on includes: being able to recognise ethical challenges and formulate coherent responses; distancing oneself from subjective judgements; developing ethical literacy; identifying stakeholders; and communicating ethical decisions made, to name a few.

Keywords:

• case study
• code of ethics
• critical thinking
• ethical theories
• logic
• philosophy

Notes

1. Equivalent to course in the American system.

2. It is important to note that this argument draws its information from the points made in the BBC (2010) media article. The argument is presented here to show how easy it is to convert an argument represented graphically using Rationale into a clear and concise essay. It is beyond the scope of this article to question the points made in the media article i.e. BBC (2010). It is also beyond the scope of this article to verify the substance of the argument presented here or offer a fully fleshed one.

3. This is the main conclusion of the argument.

4. Schrödinger's cat is a famous 1935 quantum mechanics thought experiment about possible outcomes involving a cat placed inside a box.