Lecture 1
About the Course
To Do
- Reading:chs. 1, 10, GMU Honor Code, GMU Computer Use Agreement, ACM
Code of Conduct
- Homework: Baase, ch 10, Appendix A. Pick 3 codes from the ACM
Code of Ethics (or the IEEE if you prefer). Comment on how
each might apply to situations in the workplace.
Due: beginning of 1st class, week 2
The Philosophy of Ethics
- Plato (4th century BCE, "Parable of the Cave," "Forms")
- There are absolute virtues: truth, beauty, etc. We only
see reflections of them in this world. Do you believe absolutes
exist?
- Aristotle (b. 384 BCE,
studied under Plato, "Golden Mean")
For each virtue there are extremes and a mean. Examples:
- "Bravery" too little: weak, too much: brash, just right: bold
- "Confidence" too little: wimp, too much :arrogant, just right: self
assured
- Deontological Ethics: absolute values (Example: lying is always wrong)
- Utilitarian Ethics: the end justifies the means (Example: a lie may be
justifiable under some circumstances)
Discussion
- Why study ethics?
- How does society teach and enforce ethical behavior?
Strategy for Coping with an Ethical Dilemma
- Gather data and listen to all sides.
- Analyze Data, especially with respect to power relationships.
- Discuss possible solutions and decide on a solution.
- Judge the solution from deontological and utilitarian perspectives.
Some Basic Terms for the Course
- ACM Association for Computing Machinery, IEEE Institute of Electrical
and Electronics Engineers
- EFF Electronic Frontier Foundation
- CSPR Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility
- rogue programs: viruses, worms and Trojan horses
- hacker, cracker, phreak, cybergangs/cyberpunks
- firewall
- freeware, shareware, copyrighted software
- piracy, and bootlegging