Ethics for the Information Age

by Quinn, Michael J.

• ISBN13: 9780321194343
• ISBN10: 0321194349
• Additional ISBN(s): 9780321375261
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-01-01
• Publisher: Addison Wesley
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

Widely praised for its balanced treatment of computer ethics, Ethics for the Information Age offers a modern presentation of the moral controversies surrounding information technology. Topics such as privacy and intellectual property are explored through multiple ethical theories, encouraging readers to think critically about these issues and to make their own ethical decisions.

Author Biography

Michael J. Quinn is a professor of computer science at Oregon State University.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xix
Catalysts for Change	p. 1
Introduction	p. 2
Milestones in Computing	p. 6
Mechanical Adding Machines	p. 6
The Analytical Engine	p. 9
Boolean Algebra	p. 10
Zuse's Z Series	p. 11
Harvard Mark 1	p. 12
Colossus	p. 13
The Atanasoff-Berry Computer	p. 13
ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer)	p. 13
Small-Scale Experimental Machine	p. 14
First Commerical Computers	p. 15
Transistor	p. 17
Integrated Circuit	p. 18
IBM System/360	p. 19
Microprocessor	p. 20
Milestones in Networking	p. 22
Electricity and Electromagnetism	p. 22
Telegraph	p. 23
Telephone	p. 24
Typewriter and Teletype	p. 25
Radio	p. 26
Television	p. 27
Remote Computing	p. 28
ARPANET	p. 28
Email	p. 29
Internet	p. 29
NSFNET	p. 31
Broadband	p. 31
Milestones in Information Storage and Retrieval	p. 31
Codex	p. 31
Gutenberg's Printing Press	p. 32
Newspapers	p. 32
Hypertext	p. 33
Personal Computers	p. 34
Single-Computer Hypertext Systems	p. 36
Networked Hypertext: World Wide Web	p. 36
Search Engines	p. 38
Information Technology Issues	p. 39
Summary	p. 40
Review Questions	p. 42
Discussion Questions	p. 46
In-Class Exercises	p. 46
Further Reading	p. 47
References	p. 48
An Interview with Douglas Engelbart	p. 51
Introduction to Ethics	p. 53
Introduction	p. 53
Defining Terms	p. 54
Four Scenarios	p. 55
Overview of Ethical Theories	p. 59
Subjective Relativism	p. 60
The Case for Subjective Relativism	p. 60
The Case against Subjective Relativism	p. 61
Cultural Relativism	p. 62
The Case for Cultural Relativism	p. 63
The Case against Cultural Relativism	p. 64
Divine Command Theory	p. 66
The Case for the Divine Command Theory	p. 66
The Case against the Divine Command Theory	p. 67
Kantianism	p. 69
Good Will and the Categorical Imperative	p. 69
Evaluating a Scenario Using Kantianism	p. 71
The Case for Kantianism	p. 72
The Case against Kantianism	p. 73
Act Utilitarianism	p. 74
Principle of Utility	p. 74
Evaluating a Scenario Using Act Utilitarianism	p. 75
The Case for Act Utilitarianism	p. 76
The Case against Act Utilitarianism	p. 77
Rule Utilitarianism	p. 79
Basis of Rule Utilitarianism	p. 79
Evaluating a Scenario Using Rule Utilitarianism	p. 79
The Case for Rule Utilitarianism	p. 80
The Case against Utilitarianism in General	p. 81
Social Contract Theory	p. 82
The Social Contract	p. 82
Rawls's Theory of Justice	p. 84
Evaluating a Scenario Using Social Contract Theory	p. 87
The Case for Social Contract Theory	p. 87
The Case against Social Contract Theory	p. 89
Comparing Workable Ethical Theories	p. 90
Morality of Breaking the Law	p. 91
Social Contract Theory Perspective	p. 91
Kantian Perspective	p. 91
Rule Utilitarian Perspective	p. 92
Act Utilitarian Perspective	p. 93
Conclusion	p. 93
Summary	p. 94
Review Questions	p. 95
Discussion Questions	p. 97
In-Class Exercises	p. 98
Further Reading	p. 99
References	p. 99
An Interview with James Moor	p. 103
Networking	p. 107
Introduction	p. 107
Email and Spam	p. 109
How Email Works	p. 109
The Spam Epidemic	p. 110
Ethical Evaluations of Spamming	p. 112
Fighting Spam	p. 115
Mail Abuse Prevention System	p. 115
Ethical Evaluations of Blacklisting by MAPS	p. 116
Proposed Solutions to the Spam Epidemic	p. 117
CAN SPAM Act of 2003	p. 118
Emergence of "Spim"	p. 120
The World Wide Web	p. 120
Attributes of the Web	p. 120
How We Use the Web	p. 121
Too Much Control or Too Little?	p. 123
Ethical Perspectives on Pornography	p. 124
Analyses Concluding Pornography Is Immoral	p. 124
Analyses Concluding Adult Pornography Is Moral	p. 125
Commentary	p. 125
Summary	p. 125
Censorship	p. 126
Direct Censorship	p. 126
Self-Censorship	p. 127
Challenges Posed by the Internet	p. 127
Ethical Perspectives on Censorship	p. 128
Freedom of Expression	p. 129
History	p. 129
Freedom of Expression Not an Absolute Right	p. 130
FCC v. Pacifica Foundation et al.	p. 131
Children and the Web	p. 132
Web Filters	p. 132
Child Internet Protection Act	p. 133
Ethical Evaluations of CIPA	p. 133
Breaking Trust on the Internet	p. 135
Identity Theft	p. 135
Chat-Room Predators	p. 137
Ethical Evaluations of Police "Sting" Operations	p. 138
False Information	p. 139
Internet Addiction	p. 140
Is Internet Addiction Real?	p. 140
Contributing Factors	p. 142
Ethical Evaluation of Internet Addiction	p. 143
Summary	p. 144
Review Questions	p. 145
Discussion Questions	p. 146
In-Class Exercises	p. 147
Further Reading	p. 148
References	p. 148
An Interview with Jennifer Preece	p. 153
Intellectual Property	p. 155
Introduction	p. 155
Intellectual Property Rights	p. 157
What Is Intellectual Property?	p. 157
Property Rights	p. 157
Extending the Argument to Intellectual Property	p. 159
Benefits of Intellectual Property Protection	p. 161
Limits to Intellectual Property Protection	p. 161
Protecting Intellectual Property	p. 163
Trade Secrets	p. 163
Trademarks and Service Marks	p. 164
Patents	p. 165
Copyrights	p. 165
Fair Use	p. 169
Sony v. Universal City Studios	p. 170
RIAA v. Diamond Multimedia Systems Inc.	p. 171
Digital Technology and Fair Use	p. 173
New Restrictions on Use	p. 174
Digital Millennium Copyright Act	p. 174
Digital Rights Management	p. 175
Secure Digital Music Initiative	p. 175
Encrypting DVDs	p. 176
Making CDs Copyproof	p. 177
Criticisms of Digital Rights Management	p. 177
Peer-to-Peer Networks	p. 178
Napster	p. 179
FastTrack	p. 179
BitTorrent	p. 180
RIAA Lawsuits	p. 180
MP3 Spoofing	p. 181
Universities Caught in the Middle	p. 182
MGM v. Grokster	p. 183
Legal Music Services on the Internet	p. 184
Protections for Software	p. 184
Software Copyrights	p. 185
Violations of Software Copyrights	p. 185
Software Patents	p. 186
Safe Software Development	p. 187
Open-Source Software	p. 188
Consequences of Proprietary Software	p. 188
Open-Source Definition	p. 189
Beneficial Consequences of Open-Source Software	p. 189
Examples of Open-Source Software	p. 190
The GNU Project and Linux	p. 191
Impact of Open-Source Software	p. 192
Critique of the Open-Source Software Movement	p. 192
Legitimacy of Intellectual Property Protection for Software	p. 193
Rights-Based Analysis	p. 193
Utilitarian Analysis	p. 194
Conclusion	p. 196
Creative Commons	p. 196
Summary	p. 198
Review Questions	p. 202
Discussion Questions	p. 203
In-Class Exercises	p. 204
Further Reading	p. 204
References	p. 205
An Interview with Wendy Seltzer	p. 209
Privacy	p. 211
Introduction	p. 211
Perspectives on Privacy	p. 213
Defining Privacy	p. 213
Harms and Benefits of Privacy	p. 214
Is There a Natural Right to Privacy?	p. 217
Privacy and Trust	p. 220
Disclosing Information	p. 221
Public Information	p. 223
Rewards or Loyalty Programs	p. 223
Body Scanners	p. 224
Digital Video Recorders	p. 224
Automobile "Black Boxes"	p. 225
Enhanced 911 Service	p. 225
RFIDs	p. 226
Implanted Chips	p. 227
Cookies	p. 227
Spyware	p. 228
U.S. Legislation	p. 228
Fair Credit Reporting Act	p. 228
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act	p. 229
Video Privacy Protection Act	p. 229
Financial Services Modernization Act	p. 229
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act	p. 229
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act	p. 230
Public Records	p. 230
Census Records	p. 230
Internal Revenue Service Records	p. 231
FBI National Crime Information Center 2000	p. 231
Privacy Act of 1974	p. 232
Covert Government Surveillance	p. 234
Wiretaps and Bugs	p. 235
Operation Shamrock	p. 237
U.S. Legislation Authorizing Wiretapping	p. 238
Title III	p. 239
Electronic Communications Privacy Act	p. 239
Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act	p. 239
USA PATRIOT Act	p. 240
Data Mining	p. 244
Marketplace: Households	p. 246
IRS Audits	p. 246
Syndromic Surveillance System	p. 246
Total Information Awareness	p. 247
Criticisms of the TIA Program	p. 247
Who Should Own Information about a Transaction?	p. 248
Opt-in Versus Opt-out	p. 248
Platform for Privacy Preferences (P3P)	p. 249
Identity Theft	p. 249
Background	p. 249
History and Role of the Social Security Number	p. 251
Debate over a National ID Card	p. 252
The REAL ID Act	p. 253
Encryption	p. 254
Symmetric Encryption	p. 254
Public-Key Cryptography	p. 255
Pretty Good Privacy	p. 255
Clipper Chip	p. 258
Effects of U.S. Export Restrictions	p. 258
Digital Cash	p. 259
Summary	p. 262
Review Questions	p. 264
Discussion Questions	p. 266
In-class Exercises	p. 268
Further Reading	p. 269
References	p. 269
An Interview with Ann Cavoukian	p. 275
Computer and Network Security	p. 279
Introduction	p. 279
Viruses, Worms, and Trojan Horses	p. 280
Viruses	p. 280
Worms	p. 283
The Internet Worm	p. 286
Trojan Horses	p. 290
Defensive Measures	p. 291
Phreaks and Hackers	p. 292
Hackers	p. 292
Phone Phreaking	p. 296
The Cuckoo's Egg	p. 297
Legion of Doom	p. 297
Fry Guy	p. 298
U.S. v. Riggs	p. 299
Steve Jackson Games	p. 300
Retrospective	p. 301
Penalties for Hacking	p. 302
Recent Incidents	p. 303
Denial-of-Service Attacks	p. 304
Attacks that Consume Scarce Resources	p. 304
Defensive Measures	p. 307
Distributed Denial-of-Service Attacks	p. 307
SATAN	p. 308
Online Voting	p. 308
Motivation for Online Voting	p. 308
Proposals	p. 309
Ethical Evaluation	p. 310
Summary	p. 313
Review Questions	p. 314
Discussion Questions	p. 315
In-Class Exercises	p. 316
Further Reading	p. 317
References	p. 318
An Interview with Matt Bishop	p. 321
Computer Reliability	p. 325
Introduction	p. 325
Data-Entry or Data-Retrieval Errors	p. 326
Disfranchised Voters	p. 326
False Arrests	p. 327
Analysis: Accuracy of NCIC Records	p. 327
Software and Billing Errors	p. 328
Errors Leading to System Malfunctions	p. 328
Errors Leading to System Failures	p. 329
Analysis: E-Retailer Posts Wrong Price, Refuses to Deliver	p. 329
Notable Software System Failures	p. 330
Patriot Missile	p. 331
Ariane 5	p. 332
AT&T Long-Distance Network	p. 333
Robot Missions to Mars	p. 333
Denver International Airport	p. 335
Therac-25	p. 336
Genesis of the Therac-25	p. 337
Chronology of Accidents and AECL Responses	p. 337
Software Errors	p. 340
Post Mortem	p. 342
Moral Responsibility of the Therac-25 Team	p. 343
Computer Simulations	p. 344
Uses of Simulation	p. 344
Validating Simulations	p. 345
Software Engineering	p. 347
Specification	p. 347
Development	p. 348
Validation	p. 349
Software Quality Is Improving	p. 350
Software Warranties	p. 350
Shrinkwrap Warranties	p. 351
Are Software Warranties Enforceable?	p. 352
Uniform Computer Information Transaction Act	p. 355
Moral Responsibility of Software Manufacturers	p. 357
Summary	p. 359
Review Questions	p. 361
Discussion Questions	p. 363
In-class Exercises	p. 364
Further Reading	p. 365
References	p. 365
Work and Wealth	p. 369
Introduction	p. 369
Automation and Unemployment	p. 370
Automation and Job Destruction	p. 371
Automation and Job Creation	p. 372
Effects of Increase in Productivity	p. 375
Rise of the Robots?	p. 376
Workplace Changes	p. 379
Organizational Changes	p. 379
Telework	p. 381
Temporary Work	p. 383
Monitoring	p. 383
Multinational Teams	p. 384
Globalization	p. 385
Arguments for Globalization	p. 385
Arguments against Globalization	p. 387
Dot-Com Bust Increases IT Sector Unemployment	p. 387
Foreign Workers in the American IT Industry	p. 388
Foreign Competition	p. 389
The Digital Divide	p. 389
Evidence of the Digital Divide	p. 390
Models of Technological Diffusion	p. 391
Critiques of the Digital Divide	p. 392
The "Winner-Take-All Society"	p. 394
The Winner-Take-All Phenomenon	p. 394
Harmful Effects of Winner-Take-All	p. 395
Reducing Winner-Take-All Effects	p. 397
Access to Public Colleges	p. 397
Effects of Tuition Increases	p. 397
Ethical Analysis	p. 398
Summary	p. 401
Review Questions	p. 403
Discussion Questions	p. 403
In-class Exercises	p. 404
Further Reading	p. 406
References	p. 406
An Interview with Jerry Berman	p. 411
Professional Ethics	p. 415
Introduction	p. 415
Is Software Engineering a Profession?	p. 416
Characteristics of a Profession	p. 416
Certified Public Accountants	p. 417
Software Engineers	p. 418
Software Engineering Code of Ethics	p. 419
Preamble	p. 420
Principles	p. 421
Analysis of the Code	p. 428
Preamble	p. 428
Virtue Ethics	p. 429
Alternative List of Fundamental Principles	p. 432
Case Studies	p. 433
Software Recommendation	p. 434
Child Pornography	p. 435
Anti-Worm	p. 436
Whistleblowing	p. 438
Morton Thiokol/NASA	p. 439
Hughes Aircraft	p. 441
Morality of Whistleblowing	p. 443
Summary	p. 446
Review Questions	p. 448
Discussion Questions	p. 449
In-class Exercises	p. 450
Further Reading	p. 451
References	p. 451
An Interview with Paul Axtell	p. 455
Plagiarism	p. 459
Consequences of Plagiarism	p. 459
Types of Plagiarism	p. 459
Guidelines for Citing Sources	p. 460
How to Avoid Plagiarism	p. 460
Misuse of Sources	p. 460
Additional Information	p. 461
References	p. 461
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