The Handbook of Information and Computer Ethics

Book Review Chapter 2:

Milestones in the History of Information and Computer Ethics*: Terrell Ward Bynum

Library Reference: N/A

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Information-Computer-Ethics/dp/0471799599/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232853902&sr=8-1

Quote:  “Humans are information objects - Wiener”

    This means that we humans are dependent upon persisting patterns of information and processing within the body, rather than small things. Or we can say that we focus not on the details but we focus generally.

Learning Expectation:

    From the title of the second chapter itself, most definitely, what I expect to learn in this chapter is about some history of Information and Computer Ethics. As all things and people have history, surely Information and Computer Ethics has their own story of history to tell.

Review:

    As compared to the first chapter of this book, I think this chapter is slightly easier to understand. Or maybe is it just me again? I don’t know. Anyway, going back to the topic, this chapter is basically all about history of Information and Computer Ethics. It is surprising for me to know that Information Ethics was actually born right in the middle of the Second World War, which I find strange because if I’m not mistaken, it was only the military who had access to the Internet and there weren’t many computer geeks or computer oriented people compared to today.

It is said that during the Second World War, a philosopher/scientist named Norbert Wiener was working with a group of scientists and engineers who were involved with him in the invention of digital computers and some other military projects.  It is interesting to note that Wiener had is own Information Ethics Methodology.

What I’ve learned:

    I have increased my knowledge about the history of Information and Computer Ethics. Also, it is interesting to learn that it was born unintentionally during the Second World War.

Questions:

1.    What is Entropy?

2.    Is Wiener one of the pioneers also of Web 2.0?

3.    What is Cybernetics?

4.    Why isn’t Wiener popular or is he?

5.    There are many ethic theories, which one is the best?

Citation: (Kenneth Einar E. Himma & Herman T. Tavani, 2008)