1 | ISSN: 2094-0556 | ursprj@gmail.com The Question of Ethics in Modern Technology Christopher Ryan Maboloc, PhD Ateneo de Davao University American University of Sovereign Nations ryanmaboloc75@yahoo.com Kathleen Pastrana University of Southeastern Philippines Pastrana.keith@gmail.com Abstract: Technology is used without asking its many ethical implications. John Weckert says that humans are social mammals who need an environment to flourish. Man lives in two ecosystems – the natural environment and the social environment. For Weckert, human beings are technological creatures. Technology is developed at different levels to survive. But technology is not just an apparatus. It involves a complex social process in which human beings find themselves in with a sense of optimism. However, the reality of control and compliance is a matter of serious concern. This involves experiences inside the academe, the workplace, and the situation many women are subjected to. In the digital age, monitoring, surveillance, and the issue of privacy, remain a real problem. To survive in the digital age, Weckert believes that trust is crucial. Keywords: Ethics of technology; Trust; Monitoring and Surveillance; Gender; John Wecke Introduction The concern with respect to monitoring and surveillance is serious insofar as it affects the work condition and human well-being. Miller and Weckert (2000, p.253) argue that “respecting the right to privacy of an individual is a fundamental moral obligation.” But the real issue is the reality of power - relation. When an employer possesses the capacity to monitor the employee’s emails, daily online activities, including one’s behavior in the workplace, then it can be said that the freedom of the latter is severely compromised. John Weckert believes that trust is critical in providing a sufficient philosophical account on the issue of privacy. Rogerson, Weckert & Simpson (2000), citing Gotterbam (1992), writes that “professionals must be aware of their professional responsibilities, have available methods for resolving non-technical ethics questions and develop proactive skills to reduce the likelihood of ethical problems occurring.” The workplace involves a natural environment as well as a social environment. This paper explores a vital issue that concerns everyday life and human relationships – trust. It seeks to understand what is at stake while going into the implication of the issue of trust as an aspect of ethics in the workplace. Apparently, when it comes to the academe, the physical environment is not much of an issue. The infrastructure of a university is not the source of the problem. But the social environment is different. It can be a cause for stress and the diminution of self- worth since hierarchical positions determine the working relationship of people. Monitoring can exacerbate the tension and conflict inside the institution. The question of ethics in modern technology, in this regard, is crucial. Miller and Weckert (2000, p.261) note that “far from having the effect of ensuring that people do not make mistakes, intrusive and ongoing monitoring and surveillance might have the effect of causing employees to underperform because they are never allowed to take responsibility for outcomes.”