Introduction

Tom Kelliher, CS 200

Jan. 27, 2004

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Assignment

Read Chapter 2.

Find five good Web sites addressing the issues surrounding computer ethics (Examples: privacy, security, property rights, and responsibility.)

Outline

1. Syllabus.

2. Chapter summary.

3. Discussion questions.

Coming Up

Philosophical underpinnings of computer ethics.

Syllabus

Chapter Summary

1. Policy vacuums and conceptual muddles.

2. What is different about computing? Is computing different enough that it requires new laws, new moral approaches, new social conventions? Which of these tools should be chosen?

Discussion Questions

1. Is computing technology value-neutral?

2. Why does computing outstrip the ability of society to come to terms with it?

3. Shouldn't computing professionals act so as to ensure that computing furthers the social good? What are our obligations?

4. What is speech? What are the characteristics of Internet communication? Is Internet communication speech? How free should Internet communication be? (DCA.)

5. Should software be ``free?'' How about music? Other forms of intellectual property (IP)? (DMCA, etc.)

6. What should be done about SPAM? What are the difficulties? What does this tell us about the scope of the Internet?

7. Should public records be online?

8. Should law enforcement and insurance companies have access to automotive black box data?