Computer Ethics and Professional Responsibility: Introductory Text and Readings

This clear and accessible textbook and its associated website offer a state-of-the-art introduction to the burgeoning field of computer ethics and professional responsibility. Topics covered include the history of computer ethics; the social context of computing; methods of ethical analysis; professional responsibility and codes of ethics; computer security, risks, and liabilities; computer crime, viruses, and hacking; data protection and privacy; intellectual property and the open source movement; global ethics and the Internet. Editorial introductions to each of the sections outline key issues and concepts in the field. The book is further enriched by a variety of classroom-tested case studies and study questions, as well as lists of useful websites and readings. Visit the book's website at www southernct. edu/organizations/RCCS/Textbook

Table of Contents:
Part 1 A rationale for computer ethics, W. Maner; what is computer ethics, J.H. Moor; the computer revolution and the problem of global ethics, K. Gorniak; the end of the good times, S.G. Davies; equal access and social justice - information as a primary good, M.J. van den Hoven. Part 2 Ethics and computer professionals: introduction by the editors; professional responsibility, D. Gotternbarn; computer ethics committees - the way forward?, D. Langford; a call for a statement of expectations for the global information infrastructure, F.W. Connelly; IFIP framewrok for ethics, J. Berleur; health informatician deontology code (HIDEC), P. Barroso; the case for a Hippocratic oath for information systems professionals, M. Prior; ethical decision-making in information technology, S. Rogerson and T. Bynum; overcoming rivalling interests in systems development, S. Visala. Part 3 Information ethics and business: introduction by the editors; multimedia content on the superhighway - rapid accelerator or foot on the brake?, F. Greguras, M.R. Egger and S.J. Wong; software ownership, D. Johnson; data privacy and the European Union, E. France; data protection and the limits of centralized risk assessment, D. Elgesem; de-skilling (1974-1994) - 20 years after - in the era of empowerment, N. Panteli and M. Corbett; the firm and the guild - a perspective on the future of knowledge, work and information technology, M. Demarest; money in cyberspace, S. Rogerson and T. Bynum; teleshopping, B.W. Liffick; information ethics and the workplace, C. Huff; software licencing flexibility complements the digital age, F. Greguras and S.J. Wong; information ethics and computer law, S.A. Graziano; ethical issues of teleworking in business, J. Sojka and A. Kocikowski; ethical and social issues of the Internet, R.G. Platt and B. Morrison; Net-lash, A. Calcutt.

About the Author :
Terrell Ward Bynum is Director of the Research Center on Computing & Society at Southern Connecticut State University. For 25 years, he was editor-in-chief of the scholarly journal Metaphilosophy. Among his many publications, he is co-editor, with James H. Moor, of The Digital Phoenix: How Computers are Changing Philosophy (Blackwell, 1998) and CyberPhilosophy: The Intersection of Philosophy and Computing (Blackwell, 2002). Simon Rogerson is Director of the Centre for Computing and Social Responsibility and Professor of Computer Ethics at De Montfort University. He is a co-editor of the scholarly journal Information, Communication and Ethics in Society. Among other publications, he is the author of Ethical Aspects of Information Technology: Issues for Senior Executives (1998) and a co-author of Strategic Management Support Systems (1996).

Review :
"Bynum and Rogerson succeed at the difficult task of putting together a lasting collection of papers for a cutting-edge field that changes direction every other month. The collection is essential for anyone doing advanced research on the ethical standards of computer professions. At the same time, the collection stands as an outstanding teaching text for most university courses." John Snapper, Illinois Institute of Technology "This book includes significant pieces from members of the global computer ethics community. Among its strengths are the worked-out case studies for ethical analysis and a nice section on computer security. It is an ideal text for those teaching professional ethics." Frances S. Grodzinsky, Sacred Heart University