Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
2
Introduction
to Ethics
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part
of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a
promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were. Any
man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never
send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
—- JOHN DONNE,
Meditation XVII
IMAGINE HOVERING ABOVE THE EARTH in a spacecraft on a cloudless night. Looking
down upon our planet, you see beautiful constellations of artificial light (Figure 2.1).
The stars in these incandescent galaxies are our communities.
Forming communities allows us to enjoy better lives than if we lived in isolation.
Communities facilitate the exchange of goods and services. Instead of each family as-
suming responsibility for all of its needs, such as food, housing, clothing, education,
and health care, individuals can focus on particular activities. Specialization results in
higher productivity that increases everyone's quality of life. Communities foster the de-
velopment of fulfilling personal relationships, and they make people more secure against
external dangers.
There is a price associated with being part of a community. Communities prohibit
certain actions and make other actions obligatory. Those who do not conform to these
