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Ethical Dilemmas Related to Technology

Posted by michael on from the stop-dave...-will-you-stop-dave dept.

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."

4 of 704 comments (clear)

  1. Here's mine: by Saint+Aardvark · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Are Napster et al. moral?

    What if the artist encourages it?

    What if the artist is pissed off by it?

    Is violating the license less morally wrong if it's easy?

    What about if the copy is of a lesser quality than the original?

    What if it's a license that you like?

    --
    Carousel is a lie!
  2. Re:Responsibility by Zanthany · · Score: 5, Insightful

    But are the inventors of these technologies to blame? Should they be held responsible for inventing Technology X?

    By saying these scientists should be held responsible would akin to your atomic bomb argument. Is Einstein more responsible than Truman who ordered the massacre of hundreds of thousands of innocent Japanese civilians?

    I would hope that the answer would be no. Then we'd have civil proceedings where Victim Y would sue the inventor of Technology X because said technology brought bodily harm, even though Perpetrator Z is the actual cause of the incident.

    Oh, but wait. We already have people seeking injunctions agains gun manufacturers because they produce a lethal weapon.

  3. Re:Responsibility by Blue+Stone · · Score: 5, Insightful
    "I'm sorry, there is nothing innocent about supporting a regime trying to conquer the world with military might..."

    Are you entirely sure you want to be taking this line, right now?

    --
    Corporation, n. An ingenious device for obtaining individual profit without individual responsibility. - Ambrose Bierce
  4. Re:Responsibility by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The Japanese people were innocent victims?

    Yes. These were cities full of civilians that got nuked, not military bases. Hospitals, schools, kids, grannies, you name it.

    I actually understand the reasoning behind nuking them. A brutal demonstration of the Allies' strength quickly forced a rethink from their government.

    There is a word used to describe the slaughter of civilians in order to shock the enemy into capitulating. That word is terrorism.

    There is nothing innocent about anyone who went along with that regime and supported their cause.

    Last time I checked, they were not a democracy. The USA, on the other hand, does not have that excuse to hide behind.