Ethics  in an Information Age                      Mid-term Exam         Due: March 2

General Directions:   Write a total of 5-8 pages, typed, double-spaced.  Make your answers as clear and concise 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 answers 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 ‘whistle-blowing’ is. Assume that they need brief clear explanations of such terms. 

            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. 

Part 1   Answer the following question :

1.  Choose one of the following scenarios from our textbook:  #23 on page 147 (blocking spam), #31 on page 331 (using neighbor’s wireless), #35 on page 379 (buggy medical software), #17 on page 419 (unlicensed software), #22 on page 421 (insecure data).  Analyze your chosen scenario from the point of view of each of the following

a.  act utilitarianism,

b.  Kantianism,

c.  social contract theory

d.  The Software Engineering Code of Ethics

Part 2   Answer both of the following questions:

1.  Under what conditions, if any, do you think that employees in the field of information technology have a moral obligation to ‘blow the whistle’ – i.e., to report wrongdoing to the media or to the authorities?

2.  Would it be a good idea to subject software manufacturers to the same liability standards as manufacturers of other products?  Include in your answer:

a. Explain the ways in which software manufacturers are not currently held to the same standards as manufacturers of other products.

b. Explain the considerations that lead some people to believe that the status quo is appropriate.

c. Explain why some people think that software manufacturers should be held to the same standards as other manufacturers.

d. Explain where you stand on this question and why.