Ethics  in an Information Age                      First Paper Assignment        Due: September 30

General Directions:  

            Write a total of 4-6 pages, typed, double-spaced.  Write as clearly and concisely as you can.  Explain any technical terms you use.  Pretend that, instead of being read by a teacher who has read all the class readings, your essay will be read by an intelligent and well-informed person who has read no such material, and who needs to have the issues explained in a way that does not assume any acquaintance with academic writing about ethics.  For example, do not assume that your reader already knows what ‘utilitarianism’ or ‘Kantianism' is. Assume that they need brief clear explanations of these views.  Answer mainly in your own words.  Put quotations in quotation marks (and use quotes sparingly).  When you borrow a phrase or argument or idea from another writer, give them credit. 

Specific assignment:   

Choose one of the following scenarios from our textbook:  #21 on page 146 (blocking spam), #31 on page 341 (using neighbor’s wireless), #35 on page 391 (buggy medical software), #17 on page 434 (unlicensed software). 

Analyze your chosen scenario from the point of view of each of the following
a.  act utilitarianism,
b.  Kantianism,
c.  The Software Engineering Code of Ethics

That is, explain how you could use each of these approaches to ethics to decide what to do in the hypothetical situation you have chosen, and explain what decision each would endorse.  (If you think that one or more of these approaches would not give a clear answer to what to do in your case, explain that.)

Then, say a bit about which approach you find best and why.