Introduction

Himma proposes one rationale for why foundational issues in information and computer ethics warrant philosophical analysis. Independently of whether his provocative claim can be substantiated, however, we will see that there are many compelling reasons for examining foundational issues in computer ethics (CE). We will also see that various models for understanding CE's foundational issues have been proposed and continue to be debated.

This chapter begins with a brief analysis of a model defended by Floridi and Sanders (2002) for examining foundational issues in CE via five ‘approaches’. Next, we propose an alternative model, which frames CE's foundationalist debate in terms of three principal questions. The remaining sections analyse these questions in detail. In proposing answers to each question, the chapter incorporates some insights from CE's leading theorists.

The Floridi/Sanders model

According to Floridi and Sanders (2002, p. 2), the foundationalist debate can be viewed as ‘a metatheoretical reflection on the nature and justification of CE and the discussion of CE's relationship to the broader context of metaethical theories’.