Analogical reasoning is a means of processing information that relates the familiarity between new and understood concepts and then uses those similarities to comprehend the new concept. After the process, either certain actions are accepted or the differences between the two scenarios are identified. It is a method of inductive reasoning since it seeks to shade more light on what is true, as opposed to deductively reasoning the fact of something. It is vital in advancing the frontiers of knowledge (Boelcke, 2009, para. 1).
The uses of analogical reasoning in computer ethics have many benefits. The reasoning method is in line with moral standards. If you believe that it is morally not acceptable to break the bank and steal money, you should equally consider it wrong to steal someone’s personal computer. This aspect of reasoning enables the application of what is deemed to be morally wrong in society and relates it to computer technology.
Analogical reasoning enables one to come to terms with the gains or outcomes of each action done in computer technology. Suppose you arrive early one day to work to complete an urgent research work required for presentation by your boss by noon, unfortunately, you find the saved file corrupted and inaccessible. What would you do? The chances of you recovering the file before the deadline are slim. You may consider duplicating data from previously done works, but this may lead to unauthorized access to someone’s intellectual property and possible infringement of the company’s policy. Not accomplishing the work in time may also put you in trouble. In such an ethical dilemma, you will have to reason analogically in weighing the advantages and disadvantages of your next course of action.
On the other hand, involving in analogical reasoning has dangers involved. One of these is being too oriented toward the similarities between different situations without recognizing their significant differences. A superb example is a hacker, who in his or her thinking, seeks to demonstrate justice by finding errors in a computer’s software or operating system. The social norm is that anyone seeking access to information without prior permission has been deemed a lawbreaker. In this regard, the innocent hacker is branded names as a thief or a con.
Analogical reasoning fails to draw the thin line between pleasure and business. For example, a company employee may wish to notify his or her boss on holiday about the progress of the company and does not mind demonstrating professionalism in sending the notification. The employee may fail to adhere to grammatical standards or correctly format the finished text.
The advent of the internet has made the world to become a global village. Over two hundred countries utilize this innovation. The computer age has brought the problem of global ethics. If a country wishes to protect its freedom of speech on the internet, whose rules are they going to use? The earth is witnessing discussions of ethics and values that are not limited to one geographical location. Countries may soon be forced to come up with universal laws to curb cybercrimes since they are not limited to any geographical location.
In summary, analogical reasoning lacks advantages and disadvantages when used in computer ethics. This is because it enables careful assessment of both sides of the coin before coming up with a concise route to take.
Reference
Boelcke, A (2009). What is Analogical Reasoning. Web.