Product Description
Ethical dilemmas and security challenges have emerged rapidly alongside the accelerated evolution ofinformation processing and management technologies. As technology continues to advance, the need for strong responses to these challenges, well centered on reliable research, becomes increasingly critical.

Information Security and Ethics: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications serves as the ultimate source on all theories and models associated with information privacy and safeguard practices to help anchor and guide the development of technologies, standards, and best practices to meet these challenges. Compiling over 300 chapters representing the work of some 750 international experts, this comprehensive, six-volume collection examines a complete array of topics in this area, including authentication technologies, cyber-crime, cryptographic tools, monitoring systems, forensic computing, and confidentiality applications, and their relation to raising the level of security and ethical standards in technology-driven environments. Essential to the information science and technology collection of any library, this reference set will serve the needs of researchers in a variety of related fields, including business, e-commerce, government, law enforcement, and many more. ... Read more

Product Description
Information Technology Ethics: Cultural Perspectives takes a global approach to the diverse ethical issues created by information and communication technologies and their possible resolutions. Comprehensive chapters describe the problems and possibilities of genuinely global information ethics, which are urgently needed as information and communication technologies continue their exponential growth. International experts from diverse backgrounds address both theoretical and culture-specific issues in explicit detail. This Premier Reference Source provides the most thorough examination of the information technology ethics field. ... Read more

Product Description
Comprised of eighteen chapters contributed by experts in the fields of biology, computer science, information technology, law, and philosophy, Ethics, Computing, and Genomics provides instructors with a flexible resource for undergraduate and graduate courses in an exciting new field of applied ethics: computational genomics.The chapters are organized in a way that takes the reader from a discussion of conceptual frameworks and methodological perspectives, including ethical theory, to an in-depth analysis of controversial issues involving privacy and confidentiality, information consent, and intellectual property.The volume concludes with some predictions about the future of computational genomics, including the role that nanotechnology will likely play as biotechnologies and information technologies continue to converge. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Essential information for developing an informed opinion
Since the essence of being that is commonly described as the purview of the soul is still unknown, our genetic material is considered the main component of who we are. It is the blueprint by which our bodies and minds are constructed. Therefore, it is natural that most people would consider their personal genetic code to be their property, to be guarded and controlled.
However, there are also valid reasons why a person's genetic data should be extracted and kept on file. It can reveal propensities for the onset of disease and point the way to curing illness. It is clear that in the future, many fatal diseases will be recognized in the DNA before the onset of symptoms and the disease will be cured when it is only a potential.
These two opposing forces are heavily debated in this book, with no clear resolution as to what the appropriate position is. I was impressed with the quality of the arguments, in other books I have read about human cloning; some of the reasons against were too shrill and emotional. These arguments are based on sound social, economic, biological and ethical considerations.
Identity theft is a growing problem in modern society; millions of dollars of fraud is committed every year. Unfortunately, while the application of genetic information has the potential to do great good, if it is misused, it could be enormously destructive. It is no exaggeration to claim that the improper use of genetic information could alter the human species. For these reasons, every citizen has a stake in the direction of genetic research and how a person's genetic data is used. Using the articles in this book, it is possible to understand the debate and get the information so that you can form your own opinion based on the facts.

raises early questions in this field
Undoubtedly, many other books will follow in the field, in the years ahead. Currently, computational genomics is in its infancy. The amount that is known is surely orders of magnitude less than what will follow, as biologists investigate further the development process at higher levels than the DNA.

So in a sense, Tavani hopes to raise awareness now. He discusses various problems with the use or abuse of information about people.As computational genomics can find out more about a given person, what social ill effects might result if the information got out to unauthorised parties? Who has a right to the data?

Plus, what if advances in understanding are made as a consequence of a person's data. Does she or should she benefit, beyond receiving any possible therapies? Bluntly, can she collect royalties from something derived from her body? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Disappointing
Quite disappointing. Narrow in scope, and does not deal with many of the more important issues of the information age.

Good content; currently being updated.Great ideas.
This textbook and reference work has great ideas and materials on the most relevant issues in dealing with these complex topics.Since this material becomes (partially) dated quickly, one might wish to wait for the newedition.

Nevertheless, it makes a valuable contribution by coveringextensively many of the major issues in this growing and rapidly changingfield. ... Read more

Product Description
More a handbook for living a successful life, rather than a philosophy book, this volume helps readers develop the ability to easily discern the relationship between ethics and technology and to operate ethically and effectively in a technological world. Systematic and pragmatic in approach--and intuitively understandable--it gives practical guidelines and provides a basis for personal change. A variety of exercises allows students to immediately apply principles to real-world events.Definition: The Nature of Ethics. The Relationship between Ethics and Technology. Why Be Ethical? Technology and the Self State. Paradigms and Piffle. Technology, Paradigms, and Limitations. Modern Behavioral Theorists. The Dynamic Systems Model. The Systematic Nature of Technology. Paradox, Awareness, and Becoming Adept. Barriers to Ethical Behavior. Roots of Technological Ethics. The Nature of Ethical Humanity. Religion as a Reflection of Ethical Thought. Where Are We Now?For anyone interested in the relationship between ethics and technology. ... Read more

Product Description
Rapid technological advancement has given rise to new ethical dilemmas and security threats, while the development of appropriate ethical codes and security measures fail to keep pace, which makes the education of computer users and professionals crucial. The Encyclopedia of Information Ethics and Security is an original, comprehensive reference source on ethical and security issues relating to the latest technologies. Covering a wide range of themes, this valuable reference tool includes topics such as computer crime, information warfare, privacy, surveillance, intellectual property and education.This encyclopedia is a useful tool for students, academics, and professionals. ... Read more

Product Description
Stephen Almagno’s career as a professor of library science began at the University of Pittsburgh in 1971. In 1990, he became the first professor in the United States to teach an information ethics course in a library and information science program. Almagno’s work in the area of information ethics was recognized at the 2001 "Ethics of Electronic Information in the 21st Century" symposium held at the University of Memphis on October 18–21, 2001, upon the occasion of his retirement from the University of Pittsburgh.

The essays in this book were presented at the symposium honoring Almagno. The first section of the book features papers that pay special tribute to Almagno. The second contains papers on library issues and ethics, such as the ethics of electronic information in China and eastern Europe, the organizations that represent information professionals, the ethics of user privacy in the digital library, and ethical implications of e-commerce, to name just a few. The third section covers topical issues, such as Internet plagiarism, ethical hacking and the security justification, social democracy and information media policy, and the ethics of dialogue, among others. ... Read more

Product Description
As technologies advance and become social norms worldwide, certain ethical considerations must be examined and reflected upon due to their various cultural implications. Information Technology and the Ethics of Globalization: Transnational Issues and Implications discusses the widespread influence of technologies across the globe with particular attention placed on moral consideration. A unique compilation of examinations on issues in IT, this innovative publication provides researchers, academicians, and practitioners with a comprehensive survey of theories and insight into human considerations of this vast globalization. ... Read more

Product Description
Written by many of the leading experts in the new field of computer ethics, these articles examine the key issues. The work is divided into six sections: Introduction; Education; Ethics, Technology and Value; Software Reliability and Computer Security; The Professions and Workplace Issues; and Artificial Intelligence and Cyberspace. Designed as both a textbook and a lay guide, the book provides a good understanding of the relationship between ethics and information technology. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A good start for academics
The growth of the computer industry has been truly amazing. Nonexistent forty years ago, the computer seems to be here to stay and to become a part of our lives just as television, radio, and the automobile did before it in this century, and as the plow, the wheel, and the tool did in prehistory. Each of these is a tool, a method by which humans perform work, whether it be an interaction with the environment or each other. As each basic tool has been introduced, society and culture have been irrevocably changed. In every case, the tool is just a tool; how humans use it determines whether it is beneficial or detrimental to society. Sociologists are only now turning their gaze at this newest tool in our culture, trying to determine its impacts on existing structures and helping to formulate guidelines for future development and use. Recently published by McFarland & Company is a collection of papers on this subject entitled Social and Ethical Effects of the Computer Revolution, edited by Joseph Migga Kizza.

I'm not going to try and fool you into thinking this is entertaining reading, although some of you might find it so. Kizza and his contributors are academics who are both avidly interested in the subject, yet also writing for publication. Some of the articles here suffer the usual problems of academic writing: belaboring the obvious, repetitious, lecturing rather than discussing, and the inevitable "more research will be needed." For readers willing to persevere, however, there are some jewels hidden here. First off, skip "The Development of the 'Killer Robot' and Professor Cleareye, Outstanding Teacher Award Recipient" by Richard Gary Epstein, even though it looks to have potential. You are better off not having to suffer the poorly written fiction describing Professor Cleareye; Epstein may be an excellect computer studies teacher, but I wouldn't take a class in creative writing from him. Do, however, take a dive into "The Internet and Ethics: Dilemma and Decisions for Institutions of Higher Education," a study by B.C. Chic Day and Pat C. Day that describes their study of a hypothetical study viewing pornography on the Internet using university resources. Their findings illustrate that, while most students understand the ethics of the situation, a firm policy regarding the university's actions in this event are required by both new and older students. Similar in nature is the study by Andrew B. Morris ("Effective Information Management: A Question of Ethics?"), worthwhile reading for Information Technology managers having to deal with fresh college recruits. Morris study effectively gives you a window into the current ethical thought of today's graduates.

There are other useful articles for IT managers and workers elsewhere in this volume, including the entire section on "Software Reliability and Computer Security." The three articles that make up this section elaborate various cases for information management responsibility in a world increasingly dependent on both the functions of software and the storage of data. The section entitled "The Professions and the Workplace Issues" details various stances on the issues of professional accountability for information workers, including the possible establishment of a certification system (now handled informally by software vendors for their various products, such as the Novell Netware Certified Engineer certification, rather than by an independent association such as those for lawyers and medical doctors). Looking towards the future, the authors of the articles within "Artificial Intelligence and Cyberspace" attempt to codify what we mean by human values versus the possible mechanistic values inherent in our systems. While this may seem the stuff of science fiction and true artificial intelligence may never emerge from the laboratory, it is imperative that AI is not created independent of human ideas.

Social and Ethical Effects of the Computer Revolution is not meant for the general reader. It is a specialized book that is useful for both computer academics and information management professionals as a means to shape the future role of computer technology. Likely to be best utilized as a textbook in a class on information technology ethics, it should also be read by IT managers who make long-range plans regarding systems growth and future use, including those on the governing boards of the Internet and Internet access policy makers. Likely the first volume of many to follow, this book is a good start to the necessary codification needed in this newborn field. ... Read more

Product Description
Human values - including accountability, privacy, autonomy, and respect for person - emerge from the computer systems that we build and how we choose to use them. Yet, important questions on human values and system design have remained largely unexplored. If human values are controversial, then on what basis do some values override others in the design of, for example, hardware, algorithms, and databases? Do users interact with computer systems as social actors? If so, should designers of computer persona and agents seek to build on such human tendencies, or check them? How have design decisions in hospitals, research labs, and computer corporations protected or degraded such values? This volume brings together leading researchers and system designers who take up these questions, and more. ... Read more

Product Description
This major reference work represents the first attempt toconfront, on a world-wide basis, the way computer associations face upto theirown responsibilities in an age increasingly dominated byinformationand communication technology. The book deals with thecodes of ethicsand conduct, and related issues. It is the first bookto deal withhomogenous codes namely codes of national computersocieties. Somethirty codes are compared and analysed in depth. Toput these intoperspective, there are discussion papers covering themethodological,philosophical and organisational issues. ... Read more

Product Description
You may be a hacker and not even know it. Being a hacker has nothing to do with cyberterrorism, and it doesn’t even necessarily relate to the open-source movement. Being a hacker has more to do with your underlying assumptions about stress, time management, work, and play. It’s about harmonizing the rhythms of your creative work with the rhythms of the rest of your life so that they amplify each other. It is a fundamentally new work ethic that is revolutionizing the way business is being done around the world.

Without hackers there would be no universal access to e-mail, no Internet, no World Wide Web, but the hacker ethic has spread far beyond the world of computers. It is a mind-set, a philosophy, based on the values of play, passion, sharing, and creativity, that has the potential to enhance every individual’s and company’s productivity and competitiveness. Now there is a greater need than ever for entrepreneurial versatility of the sort that has made hackers the most important innovators of our day. Pekka Himanen shows how we all can make use of this ongoing transformation in the way we approach our working lives. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Strong start ... rambling end
The hacker ethic attempts to explain the stereotypes of why people who are passionate hackers are the way they are.I felt it did a good job of explaining what motivates the hacker and how that often is in conflict with the way things are supposed to work in big business.For example in the discussion about how hackers often find unstructured leisure time as detrimental as over burdensome red tape pencil pushing work on the job.I found the book interesting through the first half but then seemed to ramble and over simplify assumptions towards the end.

Long on sociology. Short on philosophy.
Briefly, as to general flow of the book some reviewers here have already mentioned that the marrow of this book is to be found in the early portions with chapters 5,6, and especially 7 very nearly if not completely skipable. Castells' futurist epilogue while a bit far reaching at times is a welcome respite after the preceeding chapters. Torvalds introduction piece while intended to provide some hacker credentials and tone-setting for the book, I imagine, though fun came across as a bit glib and was essentially unnecessary.

I believe Himanen's main points can be summarized as follows:

1. People are working longer and harder based on an out of date paradigm and findthe work they are doing is less rewarding especially in regards to true personal satisfaction.

2. On the other hand hackers can be described as those people who, regardless of the field in which they work, do what they do for personal satisfaction and the inherent rewards of furthering their area of interest and peer recognition.

In other words hackers are much like those who traditionally work in academia, the sciences, and the arts. In fact Himanen acknowledges as much during the course of the book.

None of this is in itself problematic, however given the famaliar ground covered here I kept hoping Himanen would do more than simply conjure (almost arbitrarily) a generic value system and just slap it on a group of people he generally terms hackers.

My real displeasure with this book was its failure to offer any suggestions, in light of the obvious and underlying ethical considerations inherent within his argument, as to how one might create a society of hackers. If his intent was to keep to interesting historical and sociological observations then he could have, possibly, gotten through this without touching on deeper ethical currents. All along though Himanen challenges the presumptions of our current views on work, money, fun, creativity, etc... Nothing wrong with any of that, however such musings, and indeed the title of the book, suggests that at some point he might be inclined to address some deeper questions. Questions such as how does someone with few resources and limited access attain the position that allows him/her to engage in more self fulfilling activies? Whose responsibility is it to ensure the essentials of survival are provided for so that people can pursue their passions? None of this is really given much attention and I suspect it isn't even seriously considered by Himanen. While some might argue that it was not his intent to raise and answer such questions, I believe his book suffers for his failure to delve more deeply into the basics of how to get beyond where we currently are to achieve his lofty but admirable goals.

Another minor source of irritation was his heavy reliance on Weber. Obviously the title acts as a clear indicator of his intent to explore Weber's ideas. Again nothing wrong with going to the well as it were, however at times it felt too much like a retreading of Weber's own work.

I find it interesting, and philosophically useful, when an author provides a dissenting viewpoint to her/his own proposal. Or at least attempts to provide a fair assessment of a viewpoint they wish to discredit. Such attempts also work to lend an air of credibility to the authors stance and help the reader understand the framework of the argument better. Unfortunately Himanen does not do this here.

On the positive side this is a very easy read and can be a nice introduction to more challenging works on the themes mentioned or alluded to througout the text. The author is engaging and playful and doesn't run the risk of scaring off readers who don't typically enjoy trudging through heavy academic works. This ease of read is probably why a major publisher such as Random House picked this up and chose to release it. On the other hand, and for the very same reasons, this is most likely why a more scholarly publisher like the Oxford University Press or the like did not.

In short alot more exploration of his own proposals and presumptions (e.g. the 7 values of the Hacker Ethic, etc...), as well as trimming some of the unnecessary portions (e.g. 10 pages on an imagined Protestant Genesis, etc...), as well as providing some illumination on the other side of the issue, would have made for a much better read.

Excellent through ch 4, then loses focus
I bought and read this book because I enjoy reading about hacker history and culture.When I started, I simply read and flipped pages, thinking I wouldn't find much of deep importance.After about 20 pages I was extremely interested in the book and started underlining the author's main points.By chapter 5, and especially in chapter 6, the author lost my attention and I ended up giving this book a three star review.

The valuable core of 'The Hacker Ethic' lies in its comparison with the Protestant work ethic.The author explains that philosophy's roots in monastic life, and contrasts it with the 'hacker ethic' and its roots in academic/scientific practices.As a history major I thought this comparison was fascinating and it made me examine my own work habits more closely.The author's illumination of time-centric vs. task-centric work was especially interesting.

Linux kernel inventor Linus Torvalds wrote the prologue, so the entire book approaches the free/open software world from an overtly Linux perspective.One mention of BSD appears in a citation of Eric S. Raymond's 'Cathedral and the Bazaar.'ESR criticizes the BSD development model ('carefully coordinated... by a relatively small, tightly knit group of people') in comparison with Linux, where 'quality was maintained not by rigid standards or autocracy but by the naively simple strategy of releasing every week and getting feedback.'I think 'naive' is the operative word here.Linux has certainly prospered, but companies like IBM, Novell, and others are playing increasingly bigger roles.

If you can read Linus' prologue and the first four chapters in a book store, I recommend doing so.I believe the author does a nice job making comparisons with the Protestant work ethic, but doesn't quite know where to go next.Reading four chapters should take a couple of hours, and you'll walk away appreciating the keen insights author Pekka Himanen has to offer on 'The Hacker Ethic.'

Very bad and very simplistic
A very simplistic work by a minor philosopher (I use this word lightly). Wow, so bad, so dumb, such a waste of time. Those other books you are considering reading first? Go again.

Written by a sociologist for sociologists
I originally picked up this book more for amusement than anything else, considering it another one of those books about kids who stay up all night writing radical programs and their nocturnal habits. I was wrong. This book is best decribed in the prologue written by Linus Torvolds himself. He states that when he first met the author it was at a convention of 'sociologists talking about technology'. Well this book is written by just such a person... a sociologist. And one by my observation who decided to write a book about technology without any real knowledge of the spectrum of subcultures in the technology arena. In a way it seems like a sociological report one would make to his peers, who without any real background in the subject would deem well written,as previous reviews above have shown, but for the rest of us, there is much more interesting literature out there. And hopefully sometime in the very near future he will cease his contributing his, at best, amateur opinions on this subject to himself, and allow those with a true insight to document the culture. While I greatly respect Linus Torvalds and his contributions to the world, he only lends credibility to a book that no one else wouldeven consider without his name being mentioned. ... Read more

Product Description
This eBook consists of modules that can be used in courses across the curriculum to achieve the integration of computer ethics into a variety of disciplines. Because technology is now integrated in courses throughout all disciplines, including those that are online, on-site, and hybrid, it becomes critical for students to use the tool of technology, including the Internet, in an ethical way. Computer Ethics: Integrating Across the Curriculum encourages a learner-centered educational environment with module format that is simple and easy to follow. Worksheets and exercises throughout allow students to test themselves on key material and references are included with each module for further study. ... Read more

Product Description
Ethics for the Information Age opens with a review of ethical theories from the ancient world to the present and covers the social impact of information, technology, computer crime, privacy issues, and computer laws in the United States and other countries. The book also covers ethical codes of professional organizations and computer ethics in higher education and the workplace. Another section discusses software as intellectual property, as a product, and as a service. Ethics for the Information Age helps students take a look into future computer-related ethical issues. This text contains plenty of real-world examples that will keep classroom discussions alive. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent Book!
One of the best textbooks on IT ethics. Plenty of real world cases that illustrate how principles of ethical theories are dealt with in the age of information.

Excellent
The best book on information technology ethics. Good coverage of ethical theories and how they apply to the information age. ... Read more

Product Description

• Offers thought-provoking insights and up-to-date coverage of the rapidly expanding field of cyberethics
• Introduces readers to current issues in computer ethics
• The author, a respected authority on the subject, combines his years of experience in the field with balanced coverage of concepts and real-world case studies
• Contains real-world exercises, examples, and cases

Customer Reviews (5)

Quick and easy
I ordered this book a week before I needed it and it came 3 days before I expected it to! Very nice condition!

fast, good service
The book was received very quickly, and it was in excellent condition.This is a great way to save on textbooks for school!

Repectable, updated text
While this book would not normally be one that I would purchase to read on its own, it was the textbook for a course on computer ethics that I took and I was pleasantly surprised to find the textbook written in a very approachable matter.

The text starts off with an overview in general ethical theory before starting in to the focus of the text - various issues and how they apply to the growing use of computer technology in the modern world. Some of the topics covered include surveillance, privacy, and file sharing among others. Included with the various issues are up to date examples for recent cases and point/counterpoint perspectives on the topics.

The text does lose some points due to the fact that the last few chapters run a bit thin and could stand to be expanded a bit, but as a whole the text is quite detailed and provides plenty of citations to allow the reader to find attentional information.

More academic than I'm used to, but solid information...
It seems that every time you turn around, there's some news story in the industry press about the ethics or legality of some aspect of technology.To help myself understand some of the underlying issues a bit better, I decided to read and review Ethics & Technology: Ethical Issues in an Age of Information and Communication Technology (2nd Edition) by Herman T. Tavani.While not the easiest or most riveting read, I did come away with a better appreciation for the field of ethics.

Contents: Introduction To Cyberethics - Concepts, Perspectives, and Methodological Frameworks; Ethical Concepts and Ethical Theories - Establishing and Justifying a Moral System; Critical Thinking Skills and Logical Arguments - Tools for Evaluating Cyberethics Issues; Professional Ethics, Codes of Conducts, and Moral Responsibility; Privacy and Cyberspace; Security in Cyberspace; Cybercrime and Cyberrelated Crimes; Intellectual Property Disputes in Cyberspace; Regulating Commerce and Speech in Cyberspace; Social Inclusion, The Digital Divide, and the Transformation of Work - The Impact for Class, Race, and Gender; Community and Identity in Cyberspace - Ethical Aspects of Virtual-Reality and Artificial-Intelligence Technologies; Pervasive Computing and Converging Technologies - Ethical Aspects of Ambient Intelligence, Bioinformatics, and Nanocomputing; Glossary; Index

Having never taken a class on ethics or critical thinking, I found the first three chapters interesting.Tavani builds the foundation of how to define and describe cyberethics, as well as how to determine and argue the case of what is "moral".These chapters are a concise course on how to build an argument and support it properly.After those three chapters are done, the concepts that were built are used to examine many different facets of computers and life, and how ethics come into play and shape how we think.There are the subjects you'd expect, like digital rights and security.But he also covers issues that I don't normally think of when dwelling on computers and ethics...gender, socioeconomic classes, race.First you have to determine if indeed those things are ethical issues, and if so, what responsibility do you have in those areas.

On one hand, the book is thorough and detailed.It's meant to be a textbook on the subject, and as such it delivers.These are the types of academic discussions and debates that you'd expect in a formal setting.I was somewhat disappointed, however, when it came to conclusions.Both sides of each issue were debated (even when I didn't even think there *was* another side), but resolution was elusive.I suppose I'm supposed to take this information and draw my own conclusions, but instead I came away with "so everything's right *and* wrong".Since I tend to want to get down to practical issues rather than deal with abstracts, I found it hard to come to any resolution at the end of each chapter.

Definitely good material, and worth reading.But it will make you work and think.

A really interesting little-ish book
This book was on the prescribed text list for the masters I am doing (Master of Informaiton Technology) and I must say I was pleasantly surprised to read it. Being a technical (engineer) person, it's a generalized opinion that this group (enclave?) we like mathematics, science and engineering books, but not so called 'arty farty' stuff like philosophy. Speaking for me personally, isn't far from the truth...So I thought...groan, not another one of these idealistic, pointless, ultimately altruistic and futile failures to read. Indeed not! I actually enjoyed reading it! (shock-horror). Tavani uses the ploy of relating hisideas to real-life situations (stalking, cracking, etc). This lends the book a serious air of legitimacy. The ivory tower is nowehere in sight. He doesn't lecture at you like you're a poor, misguided computer geek who could never possibly understand human morals and ethics in a digital world (the point is to help you do that...which Tavani does).

Back to the point: the book builds form the point of view that you have never been exposed to ethics. You get a grounding in ethical theories and then move on to learning how to evaluate ethical issues (kind like logic in mathematics without the symbols). He talks about codes of practice and your moral responsibility as a somebody who works, creates or manages a little corner of cyberspace. It is at this point that the book leaps forward into relevant (if somewhat shallow treatment) of the major issues ike privacy, piracy, crime, security,freedom of speech and equity. These are also posited through scenarios and then the ethics involved are developed through direct discussion of these scenarios. And as I alluded to previously, these give the book an excellent 'hook'. They make the theory real and relevant and rather interesting (and sometimes tragic: you'll see what I mean when you read the first scenario involving a teenage girl stalked thorugh the net and ultimately murdered in realty).

This is a provocative book, but in a subdued, subtle way. The author doesn't speed feed you heaped spoonsfuls of moral outrage with lashings of indignant pontification, just ideas (and these are ever so valuable) in a considered manner. I think the author has really succeeded here. If he can make a totally 'technical' person like me actually enthusiastic about reading it, then that's truly indicative of the book's quality.

The price may be a little high for what is a pretty thin book in a physical sense. Ideaswise it is quite rich, so that's the price you pay (it this ethical? ideas are only available to those who can affort it!) That aside, I got a lot from this little book and so consider it money well spent.

All in all a good 'starting' book for cyberethics! Thumbs up! However consider you may find yourself supplementing it with other braoder, deeper works as you progress because it is a rich field to learn in. Tavani will open this vista up for you if you approch this book with a willingness to put aside your prejudices and listen to what he has to say. ... Read more

Product Description
In an era where information technology changes constantly, a thoughtful response to these rapid changes requires a basic understanding of IT history, an awareness of current issues, and a familiarity with ethics. Ethics for the Information Age provides an overview of ethical theories and problems encountered by computer professionals in today’s environment. Catalysts for Change; Introduction to Ethics; Networking; Intellectual Property; Privacy; Computer and Network Security; Computer Reliability; Professional Ethics; Work and Wealth; Plagiarism. For all readers interested in computers and society or computer ethics. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Review of a 3rd edition: Lots of issues WEAK solutions
Ok. Here is the deal. Book is a good source of current issues but rather weak as far as solutions go.
For instance, if you're into ethics think - would Kant defend viewing pornography? well, for this author - yes. If this is not strange already, prepare for more.
Here is my grades based on chapters (since different chapters deserve different grades):

1-Catalysts for Change - 4
2-Introduction to Ethics - 1.5
3-Networking - 5
4-Intellectual Property - 4
5-Privacy - 4
6-Computer and Network Security - 5
7-Computer Reliability - 5
8-Professional Ethics - 5
9-Work and Wealth - 4.5

You might ask: hmm, why then overall grade is 3? Well, this is a book that is presumably should GUIDE a professional in decision making, and with shallow chapter 2 it fails to do so !!!
Imagine, author does not mention Virtue Ethics until chapter 8, and Natural Law NOWHERE to be found. But, behold, most moronic deliriums by Hobbes and Rousseau are here and praised. How can a freak teach morals if his own kids were given to orphanage??? Neither Hobbes nor Rousseau provide any REAL binding, normative, objective reason as to WHY one should keep so called "contract".
To make things worse, on pp. 67-68 discussing DCT (divine command theory), author suggests under case FOR DCT:
"1. We owe obedience to God
2. God is all good and all-kniwing
3. God is the ultimate authority."
But then, under case AGAINST DCT he gives following:
"1. There are many holy books and some of their teachings disagree with each other.
2. It is unrealistic to assume a multicultural society will adopt a religion-based morality.
3. Some moral problems are not addressed directly in scriptures.
4. It is fallacious to equate "the good" with God.
5. The divine command theory is based on obedience, not reason."

WOW. None of objections, except possibly 3 and 4 are even RELATED to syllogism in arguments FOR DCT. It is IRRELEVANT how many books are there. It is IRRELEVANT what is the dogma of multiculturalism. What matters is whether it is TRUE that God exists, and if He does, then who cares what sort of society we live in and what it's dogma about multiculturalism or what-have-you... So, it seems this question then is shifted into philosophy of religion area.
But whatever the case, WHY it is not based on REASON to assume that doing what ultimate authority who is all good and all-knowing demands is not reasonable ??? I mean if I were to sell a car with manual, would it be NOT reasonable to follow operational manual with the car? would it be based on authority not reason? This is childish argumentation!!! When it comes to so-called Euthyphro dilemma [see objection 4], it is no dilemma at all. Everybody knows by now that it was shown that there is NO dilemma there. Goodness is not what God wills, and it is not why God wills something, but rather it is what comes from God's very nature. So, there is nothing "fallacious" to equate good with God. Especially, based on the very definition of God by author [see case FOR DCT, number 2 above].

Now, saying all that, it is understandable that it is a secular book and reasonably attempts to demonstrate that DCT is not for specular society. Granted. However, where is then virtue ethics, or Natural Law ethics??? Virtue ethics only come in 8th chapter. Since, author rightfully throws away relativisms both cultural and individualistic, what is left??? Thomas Hobbes - filthy animals living by contract? or Kant viewing porn? Virtue Ethics and Natural Law should be a sceleton of any reasonable book. because "social contract" is not really normative, and utilitarianism fails on many levels.

For this reason, I think chapter 2 is pretty weak, while rest of chapters gives one food for thought on current issues in the field.
My advice, study ethics somewhere, and you can skip ch. 2, but read chapters on specific issues. fun stuff.

Good
This book was required for my Ethics class. I've read through quite a bit of it, and it really explains things well. There are many different scenarios that you can look through and test yourself to see how each framework would view a certain type of situation. It's a lot of fun!

Perfect Quality
Book was in perfect condition; Perhaps a little warn, but nothing so much that it was noticeable unless I was thinking about it.

Great textbook!
I just took this class for the Fall semester. I learned new information about Ethics for the Information Age. I took this course, as weekender course, that last for 4 Friday evening/all day Saturday.

Very good; not perfect
Quinn's textbook comes off "very good" in a crowded field of competitors.It is broad in its scope, and very up to date in the issues that it raises.

The book is not without its flaws: as a philosophy professor, I would have hoped for a clearer discussion of ethical theory and a less mechanical application of those theories to the issues, but these parts of the book are small and can easily be supplemented by outside readings.I also deal with the subjects in a very different order from the book, beginning with the issues of reliability and security that will most concern our CS majors.(Spam is nasty, but it doesn't seem like the best place to start.I doubt that many of our majors will be headed in that direction as professionals.)

Of course even a perfect book could not guarantee that students will learn from it-- Learning is also the responsibility of the student.Students of science or engineering who treat this as if it were a science or math text may well come to the conclusion of one reviewer below that its conclusions often seem "obvious"-- but it is a method that is being taught, and not just the answers.Who knows what the big questions will be ten years from now in such a rapidly changing field?That is one reason why the author's first, historical chapter is such a valuable inclusion and should not be overlooked.Students too often take the status quo for granted, and do not realize how much has changed to get us here, and how quickly it has happened.Few such texts deal with this important material, and Quinn does a good job with it.

As to alleged bias in the text, that is just nonsense.If you are convinced that J. Edgar Hoover never authorized an illegal wiretap, or that the Patriot Act is uncontroversial, then some of the questions Quinn raises may make you feel uncomfortable.But that is exactly what a good ethics text should do: provoke thought and discussion.

I recommend this book as a course text that touches on all of the (currently) key areas of social concern in the CS curriculum in an engaging way.I also hope for an improved second edition that will do the job even better. ... Read more