Slashdot Mirror
Ethical Dilemmas Related to Technology
Anonymous Coward writes "I have a relative who will be teaching a college class on the topic of ethical dilemmas brought about by new technology. Unfortunately, he doesn't keep up with technology news, so he's not sure what the most relevant dilemmas are. For example, 'If robots came alive, would we be justified in killing them?' is one that might come up if nothing more relevant were suggested. (OK, it might not be that bad, but you get the idea. He was using Netscape 4.76 on system 9 until last week.)
So, what are the most relevant ethical dilemmas brought up by technology? Note that I am looking for ethical dilemmas, e.g. 'Is Activity X moral?' rather than legal dilemmas like 'Is the DMCA constitutional?' Now is your chance to guide the young minds of the future toward stuff that matters."
How about, "should somebody who isn't familiar with the issues be responsible for teaching them?" Seriously, this could also spin off into "should the largely technologically illiterate Congress be making laws about technology?" and other topics that shine light onto the pressing concerns that have been the cause of umteen YRO articles.
Does narcissism count as a hobby? --Shawn Latimer
Is ActiveX moral? I think the answer would be no, unless implemented right.
How about the ethical dillema of people teaching things that they don't know enough about?
If I, as a technology specialist, continue to field random tech support phone calls from freinds, family, and friends of friends and family, what are the ethical rules surrounding the beer they rightfully owe me? Should said beer be handed over before or after services are rendered? What about an "all you can drink while you're here" policy for housecalls?
These are important ethical dilemmas that need discussion and input from the academic community.
We don't have a state-run media we have a media-run state.
Sharing is fine unless it's software or music.
That's what I was taught in kindergarten anyway:
Teacher: Ok Peter, what did you bring for show-and-tell today to share with us? Oh, you brought software? Well don't share any of it! Sharing is wrong, sharing means you're a pirate!
Actually I tend now to ignore all licenses unless the threat of physical force (the law) causes me to do otherwise. I believe licenses have no moral force.
So I guess that makes me a pirate. In that case, Arrgh, matey! Let's hit the high seas! I've got some Britney Speares CDs in yonder chest!
Hi Slashdot. I accepted a programming job paying in excess of $100,000. I start tomorrow but have never programmed before. Can you give me some tips to help me fake it? I really want this job, but I'm scared that my lack of programming skills will get me fired! Please help!
I would _HATE_ to be the student that takes the technology ethics course where the teacher has to rely on Slashdot for the curriculum. UGH!
In an attempt to be helpful, here are the textbooks that I had for my technology ethics course in college:
A Gift of Fire
and
Computer, Self, and Society
Both are excellent and will be about a thousand times more useful than an 'Ask Slashdot'.
[Seriously though, there are college professors that haven't even bothered to crack the standard textbooks for a given subject before teaching them? No wonder that our education system is so brutally fucked up.]
3) Jane brings her computer to you as a professional repair person to fix a part. While fixing the computer, you browse through her files to make sure everything is working correctly. You notice some files have interesting names and discover that Jane is having an affair. Do you tell her husband? Should Jane be able to sue you for breach of confidentiality if you do?
Or should you tell Jane that you found out about her affair and blackmail her into having an affair with you?Where do we draw the line between human and (for lack of a better word) robot? Nanotech, implants, and genetic mods are all coming to meet at a common point, and that point is SOON!
Michael Jackson, Cher, and Joan Rivers -- we're too late, the line has been crossed!
Rule #1 -- Politics always trumps technology.
"he doesn't keep up with technology news, so he's not sure what the most relevant dilemmas are."
Doesn't this about sum up the state of our education system today?
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How about the ethics of this person teaching a class for which he is admittedly not qualified? Or the ethics of using /. to compile a course syllabus?
(The _wisdom_ of the latter is beyond the scope of this comment!)
If you're not living on the edge, you're just taking up space!
For example, if it's just a "minor offense" to spray paint grafitti on a bridge, why can you get 10 years in prison for defacing a website? Seems a bit disproportionate.
C//
unfortunately, he doesn't keep up with technology news, so he's not sure what the most relevant dilemmas are.
This reminds me of what happend at the begining of this semester. The professor walked into the classroom and asked us what subject was he supposed to teach us! And the first thing he said after finding out it's "prosessional ethics" was: "Oh... That's not really my area...".
>> Note that I am looking for ethical dilemmas, e.g. 'Is Activity X moral?'
I would recommend 'Is ActiveX moral?'