This document discusses various ethical issues that arise from computer technology and cyberspace. It covers topics like online education, electronic voting, online pharmacies, employee monitoring, virtual identities, and controlling cyberspace. The document suggests that while some argue computer ethics are not new, others believe unique issues have emerged that did not previously exist without this technology. It emphasizes that typical problems in computer ethics occur because of a lack of clear policies around appropriate technology use.

1. Cyber Ethics
Moral Values in Cyber
Space
The Good, the Bad, and the
Electronic

2. 2
Advice to Freshmen
 Don’t LOOK at anything in a Physics lab.
 Don’t SMELL anything in a Biology lab.
 Don’t TASTE anything in a Chemistry lab.
 Don’t TOUCH anything in a medical lab.
 Don’t LISTEN to anything in a Philosophy
course.
 Don’t TRUST anything in a computer lab.

3. 3
Two Points of View
 There is nothing new or special about ethical
issues involving computer technology.
 First Law of Philosophy
 There are new, unique ethical issues that
could not have existed without computer
technology.
 Second Law of Philosophy

4. 4
Policy Vacuums
 Computers are logically malleable.
 Typical problems arise in Computer Ethics
because there is a policy vacuum about how
computer technology should be used.

5. 5
What Do We Mean by Cyber Ethics?
 Analysis of the nature and social impact of
computer technology
 Corresponding formulation and justification of
policies for the ethical use of such
technology.

6. 6
Information Gap
 Example: Sub Saharan Africa
 Any third world country

7. 7
On Line Education
 Cyber Degrees
 Social Acceptance?
 Take the Money, send the diploma, but
provide weak or no educational experience

8. 8
Electronic Voting
 Paper vs. machine vs. computer.
 Convenience and speed.

9. 9
On Line Pharmacies
 Convenience and price.
 Prescription needed?
 Doctor’s role?

10. 10
Athletic Recruiting
 Numbers of phone calls vs. emails
 Personal promotions both amateur and
professional
 Two_way investigations

11. 11
RFID
 Radio Frequency Identification RFID
 May contain everything about a person
 Saves Lives
 Invades Privacy

12. 12
Employee Monitoring
 Email
 Websites
 Monitoring software

13. 13
Virtual Life
 Gaming
 Create your own
identity
 Purchase virtual
merchandise
 Hone your skills

14. 14
Who Are You? Who Am I?
 Anonymity in the virtual world
 How many hours do people spend online?
 Confusion?

15. 15
Natural World and Cyberspace
 Physical World: DNA, RNA: A, T, G, C
 Computer World: 0, 1
 Natural Ethics
 Cyber Ethics
 Creation?
– Natural World
– Virtual World

16. 16
Controlling Cyberspace
 Relativism need not apply.
 Cyberspace is beyond geographic and
political boundaries.
 Do we want to enforce ethical standards on
cyberspace?
 Can we?
 We must depend on human integrity.