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Ethics for the Information Age » (4th Edition)

Book cover image of Ethics for the Information Age by Michael J. Quinn

Authors: Michael J. Quinn
ISBN-13: 9780132133876, ISBN-10: 0132133873
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Addison Wesley
Date Published: February 2010
Edition: 4th Edition

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Author Biography: Michael J. Quinn

Michael J. Quinn is the author of the first two editions of Ethics for the Information Age. He is a professor of computer science at Oregon State University where he teaches Social and Ethical Issues in Computer Science among other computer science courses. For Fall 2007, he’ll be leaving Oregon State University and taking on the role of Dean of the College of Science and Engineering at Seattle University. He did his graduate work at University of Wisconsin–Madison and received his PhD at Washington State University.

Book Synopsis

In an era where information technology changes constantly, a thoughtful response to these rapid changes requires a basic understanding of IT history, an awareness of current issues, and a familiarity with ethics. Ethics for the Information Age provides an overview of ethical theories and problems encountered by computer professionals in today’s environment.

Catalysts for Change; Introduction to Ethics; Networking; Intellectual Property; Privacy; Computer and Network Security; Computer Reliability; Professional Ethics; Work and Wealth; Plagiarism.

For all readers interested in computers and society or computer ethics.

Table of Contents

Preface
1Catalysts for change1
1.1Introduction2
1.2Milestones in computing5
1.3Milestones in networking21
1.4Milestones in information storage and retrieval29
1.5Information technology issues36
2Introduction to ethics47
2.1Introduction47
2.2Subjective relativism53
2.3Cultural relativism55
2.4Divine command theory59
2.5Kantianism62
2.6Act utilitarianism67
2.7Rule utilitarianism72
2.8Social contract theory76
2.9Comparing workable ethical theories84
3Networking91
3.1Introduction91
3.2Email and spam93
3.3Fighting spam99
3.4The world wide web105
3.5Ethical perspectives on pornography108
3.6Censorship110
3.7Freedom of expression114
3.8Children and the web117
3.9Breaking trust on the Internet120
4Intellectual property133
4.1Introduction133
4.2Intellectual property rights135
4.3Protecting intellectual property141
4.4Fair use146
4.5New restrictions on use151
4.6Peer-to-peer networks155
4.7Protections for software160
4.8Open-source software163
4.9Morality of intellectual property protection for software169
4.10Morality of copying proprietary software172
4.11Creative commons175
5Privacy187
5.1Introduction187
5.2Perspectives on privacy189
5.3Disclosing information197
5.4Public information199
5.5U.S. legislation204
5.6Public records205
5.7Covert government surveillance209
5.8U.S. legislation authorizing wiretapping214
5.9Data mining219
5.10Identity theft224
5.11Encryption228
6Computer and network security245
6.1Introduction245
6.2Viruses, worms, and Trojan horses246
6.3Phreaks and hackers258
6.4Denial-of-service attacks270
6.5Online voting275
7Computer reliability285
7.1Introduction285
7.2Data-entry or data-retrieval errors286
7.3Software and billing errors288
7.4Notable software system failures290
7.5Therac-25296
7.6Computer simulations304
7.7Software engineering307
7.8Software warranties311
8Work and wealth329
8.1Introduction329
8.2Automation and unemployment330
8.3Workplace changes336
8.4Globalization342
8.5The digital divide346
8.6The "winner-take-all society"350
8.7Access to public colleges354
9Professional ethics365
9.1Introduction365
9.2Is software engineering a profession?366
9.3Software engineering code of ethics370
9.4Analysis of the code379
9.5Case studies384
9.6Whistleblowing389
Image credits405
Index407

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