Cambridge University Press
9780521882514 - Computer Ethics: A Case-Based Approach - By Robert N. Barger
Frontmatter/Prelims

Computer Ethics: A Case-Based Approach

Computer Ethics: A Case-Based Approach teaches students to solve ethical dilemmas in the field of computing, taking a philosophical, rather than a legal, approach to the topic. It first examines the principles of Idealism, Realism, Pragmatism, Existentialism, and Philosophical Analysis, explaining how each might be adopted as a basis for solving computing dilemmas. The book then presents a worksheet of key questions to be used in solving dilemmas. Twenty-nine cases, drawn from the real-life experiences of computer professionals, are included in the book as a means of letting students experiment with solving ethical dilemmas and identify the philosophical underpinnings of the solutions.

Robert N. Barger is an associate professor in the Computer Applications Program at the University of Notre Dame and professor emeritus at Eastern Illinois University, where he received several awards for teaching excellence. He has spent the last thirty-six years teaching and writing on computer ethics and educational issues.

Computer Ethics: A Case-Based Approach

Robert N. Barger

University of Notre Dame

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS
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Cambridge University Press
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Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9780521709149

© Robert Newton Barger 2008

This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press.

First published 2008
Printed in the United States of America

A catalog record for this publication is available from the British Library.

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

Barger, Robert N., 1938–
Computer ethics : a case-based approach / Robert N. Barger.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-521-88251-4 (hardback) – ISBN 978-0-521-70914-9 (pbk.)
1. Computers – Moral ethical aspects. 2. Information technology – Social aspects. I. Title.
QA 76.9.M65B37 2008
303.48′33 – dc22 2007049088

ISBN 978-0-521-88251-4 hardback
ISBN 978-0-521-70914-9 paperback

Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Web sites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Web sites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.

This book is dedicated to my lovely wife, Jo,

with love and gratitude.

Contents

Preface
 xiii
Acknowledgments
 xvii
1       Introduction
 1
1.1     A Brief History of Computers and the Internet
 1
1.2     The Meaning of Ethics
 6
1.3     The Distinction between Law and Ethics
 7
1.4     The Subjects of Ethics
 8
1.5     Computer Ethics as a Unique Kind of Ethics
 8
1.6     Chapter Summary
 14
1.7     Your Turn
 15
2       The Computer as a Humanizing Agent
 16
2.1     Introduction
 16
2.2     Autonomy
 18
2.3     Individuality
 18
2.4     Rationality
 19
2.5     Affectivity
 20
2.6     Responsiveness
 21
2.7     Creativity
 22
2.8     Conclusion
 22
2.9     Chapter Summary
 23
2.10    Your Turn
 24
3       Philosophic Belief Systems
 25
3.1     Introduction
 25
3.2     Idealism
 28
3.3     Realism
 42
3.4     Pragmatism
 45
3.5     Existentialism
 51
3.6     Philosophical Analysis
 55
3.7     Conclusion
 57
3.8     Chapter Summary
 58
3.9     Your Turn
 58
4       A Philosophic Inventory
 59
4.1     Introduction
 59
4.2     Inventory Questions
 59
4.3     Inventory Scoring
 61
4.4     Significance of Scores
 62
4.5     Conclusion
 63
4.6     Chapter Summary
 63
4.7     Your Turn
 64
5       The Possibility of a Unifying Ethical Theory
 65
5.1     Introduction
 65
5.2     The Argument of James H. Moor
 66
5.3     Chapter Summary
 68
5.4     Your Turn
 69
6       The Ethical Decision-Making Process
 70
6.1     Steps in the Ethical Decision-Making Process
 70
6.2     The Culture Clash on the Net Case
 73
6.3     A Sample Solution to the Culture Clash on the Net Case
 74
6.4     Chapter Summary
 77
6.5     Your Turn
 78
7       Psychology and Computer Ethics
 80
7.1     Introduction
 80
7.2     Lawrence Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development
 80
7.3     Morality at Premier Software Story
 82
7.4     Chapter Summary
 83
7.5     Your Turn
 84
8       The Computing Field as a Profession
 85
8.1     Introduction
 85
8.2     Expert Knowledge
 85
8.3     Autonomy
 85
8.4     Internal Governance
 86
8.5     Service to Society
 86
8.6     A History of the Professions
 86
8.7     Computing Considered as a Profession
 87
8.8     Chapter Summary
 88
8.9     Your Turn
 89
9       Computer-Related Codes of Ethics
 90
9.1     ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
 90
9.2     Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice
 98
9.3     The Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics
 105
9.4     Chapter Summary
 106
9.5     Your Turn
 106
10      Computer Ethics and International Development
 107
10.1    Introduction
 107
10.2    The World Summit on the Information Society
 107
10.3    Geneva Plan of Action (10–12 December 2003)
 108
10.4    Geneva Declaration of Principles (13 December 2003)
 112
10.5    Tunis Commitment (16–18 November 2005)
 128
10.6    Tunis Agenda for the Information Society (18 November 2005)
 136
10.7    Chapter Summary
 139
10.8    Your Turn
 139
11      Robotics and Ethics
 140
11.1    Introduction
 140
11.2    What Is Roboethics?
 141
11.3    Ethical Issues in Robotics
 142
11.4    Disciplines Involved in Robotics
 143
11.5    The Roboethics Roadmap in EURON's Own Words
 143
11.6    Difficulties of Programming Robots for Ethics
 150
11.7    Chapter Summary
 152
11.8    Your Turn
 152
12      Theft and Piracy Concerns
 154
12.1    Introduction
 154
12.2    Cybersquatting
 154
12.3    Fake IDs
 155
12.4    Identity Theft
 156
12.5    Intellectual Property
 157
12.6    Peer-to-Peer Music Sharing
 158
12.7    Open-Source Software
 159
12.8    Phishing
 160
12.9    Pharming
 162
12.10   Software Bombs
 162
12.11   Sale of Term Papers Online
 163
12.12   Sale of Academic Degrees Online
 164
12.13   Web Spoofing
 165
12.14   Chapter Summary
 165
12.15   Your Turn
 166
13      Cases Concerning Theft and Piracy
 168
13.1    Internet Fraud Case
 168
13.2    Free Software Case
 169
13.3    Finals Week Case
 171
13.4    Software Licensing: Stuck in the Middle Case
 172
13.5    Borrowed Hardware Case
 173
13.6    Risks of Academic Cheating by Computer Case
 173
13.7    Chapter Summary
 175
13.8    Your Turn
 176
14      Privacy Concerns
 177
14.1    Introduction
 177
14.2    Cookies
 177
14.3    Data Mining
 178
14.4    Denial-of-Service Attacks
 179
14.5    Employee Monitoring
 179
14.6    Government Surveillance
 179
14.7    Hackers
 180
14.8    Viruses and Worms
 182
14.9    Chapter Summary
 184
14.10   Your Turn
 185
15      Cases Concerning Privacy
 186
15.1    Fingering Case
 186
15.2    E-mail Addresses Case
 188
15.3    Deceased Student Case
 189
15.4    Incapacitated Administrator Case
 191
15.5    Chain Letter Case
 192
15.6    Administrator vs. Student Case
 193
15.7    Chapter Summary
 196
15.8    Your Turn
 196
16      Power Concerns
 197
16.1    Introduction
 197
16.2    Accountability of Bloggers
 197
16.3    Censorship/Free Speech
 198
16.4    Cyberchondria
 199
16.5    Internet Addiction
 200
16.6    Online Voting
 202
16.7    Whistle-Blowing
 202
16.8    Chapter Summary
 205
16.9    Your Turn
 205
17      Cases Concerning Power
 207
17.1    Google and Chinese Censorship Case
 207
17.2    Demon Worship Case
 208
17.3    System Privileges Case
 208
17.4    The Computer Goes to Court Case
 209
17.5    The Computer Becomes the Court Case
 210
17.6    File Transfer Case
 210
17.7    Fix Bug Case
 211
17.8    Life-and-Death Computer Case
 211
17.9    Chapter Summary
 214
17.10   Your Turn
 215
18      A Miscellaneous Collection of Cases
 216
18.1    Mail Inspection Case
 216
18.2    Fake Sale Case
 216
18.3    Numerically Unstable Case
 216
18.4    Edited File Case
 217
18.5    Class Project Case
 217
18.6    Hide from the IRS Case
 217
18.7    Ignore the Problem Case
 218
18.8    Chapter Summary
 218
18.9    Your Turn
 218
19      Parasitic Computing Case
 219
19.1    Introduction
 219
19.2    The TCP/IP Protocol
 220
19.3    Communication on the Internet
 220
19.4    Ethical Issues in Parasitic Computing
 223
19.5    Chapter Summary
 226
19.6    Your Turn
 226
Appendix: Topics for Presentations, Discussions, and Papers
 227
Notes
 231
Selected Bibliography
 239
Index
 243


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