The Handbook of Information and Computer Ethics

Book Review Chapter 3:

Moral Methodology and Information Technology: Jeron Vad Den Hoven

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:  “The simplest way to be a generalist is to think that there are fairly accurate general moral rules or principles that may be captured and codified”

    Based on my understanding, I think this quote means that it is also important to think generally rather than focus too much on details.

Learning Expectation:

    Based from the title of this third chapter, I expect to learn this so called methodology and information technology. I can’t really say much because as I’ve said, computer ethics is really more for me as esoteric. So, I’ll just read on and see what I can dig.

Review:

    When you say ethics, it means encompassing right conduct and good life. This is similar to etiquette, but rather more uncertain and goes a long way back. In computers, it was created unintentionally as discussed in the previous chapter. Basically, it is not only life as a whole that has ethics, even computers nowadays or ever since ethics was created for computers and Information technology. Like I said in the first few chapters, people who are not so into computers wouldn’t or most likely not believe that there are ethics. With that said, I think this is why the chapter or this book was even created is for us people especially, people who are into computers and IT.

As it is explained in this chapter, Computer Ethics is a form of applied or practical ethics. Computer Ethics studies moral questions that are associated with the development, application, and use of computers. The reason for this is because computers can commit crimes. Well not literally computers but specifically the people who use computers. Computer Ethics is created for the purpose of educating computer people to use their computers properly and without breaking the law or committing any crimes.

What I’ve learned:

    I learned more about Computer Ethics, which increases my knowledge. Moreover, I have learned moral methodologies that are used in Computer Ethics.

Questions:

1.    Why give computers such deep ethics when only people like us care?

2.    Why are there many methodologies?

3.    Do philosophers really need to make computer ethics that deep?

4.    Can’t we have an easier ethics where everyone, even non-computing people understand?

5.    What does Wideware mean?

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