HPR - Chapter 5 "Computers, Individual Responsibility, and Social Policy"

In addition to an introduction and a chapter summary, HPR discuss four main areas of ethical concern in computer engineering:

Computers and Privacy 5.2

Ownership of Computer Software 5.3

Computer Abuse 5.4

Computers and Moral Responsibility 5.5

Each of you will be assigned one of the above topics. Be ready to present to the class the answers to the following questions:

1. What issues do HPR focus on in relation to your assigned area?

2. What definitions do they introduce? What relevant facts about computer engineering practice do they introduce? Do you think they represent actual computing practice accurately? From your own experience what information about computing practice sheds light on what they are discussing?

3. What role do HPR see particular ethical positions such as utilitarianism or respect for persons (usually Kantian) playing in understanding and/or evaluating the issues? What would you add to their presentation?

4. How do they use line drawing or finding a creative middle way to address the issues? How effective do you think their use of line drawing and/or finding a creative middle way is? Does it miss anything important?

5. HPR make suggestions about how to address some of the issues in each area. Evaluate their suggestions, i.e., what are the strengths and weaknesses of their suggestions.

As a computer user and/or budding computer engineer, are there any areas of ethical concern that HPR don’t discuss that you think are important?