Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
systems). While there may in fact be a definite answer regarding the best way to construct
and operate a road network, it may be difficult for the observers to identify and agree
upon this answer, because each observer has a different viewpoint.
The study of ethics is particularly important right now. Our society is changing
rapidly as it incorporates the latest advances in information technology. Just think about
how cell phones, portable digital music players, tablets, and social apps have changed
how we spend our time and interact with others! These inventions have brought us
many benefits. However, some people selfishly exploit new technologies for personal
gain, even if that reduces their overall benefit for the rest of us. Here are two examples.
While most of us are happy to have the ability to send email to people all over the world,
others engage in “phishing” to steal financial information. Access to the World Wide
Web provides libraries with an important new information resource for their patrons,
but should children be allowed to follow links leading to pornographic Web sites?
When we encounter new problems such as phishing or pornographic Web sites, we
need to decide which activities are morally “good,” which are morally “neutral,” and
which are morally “bad.” Unfortunately, existing moral guidelines sometimes seem old-
fashioned or unclear. If we can't always count on “common wisdom” to help us answer
these questions, we need to learn how to work through these problems ourselves.
As an initiation into the study of ethics, carefully read each of the following scenarios.
After reflection, come up with your own answer to each of the questions.
SCENARIO 1
Alexis, a gifted high school student, wants to become a doctor. Because she
comes from a poor family, she will need a scholarship in order to attend college.
Some of her classes require students to do extra research projects in order to
get an A. Her high school has a few older PCs, but there are always long lines
of students waiting to use them during the school day. After school, she usually
works at a part-time job to help support her family.
One evening Alexis visits the library of a private college a few miles from
her family's apartment, and she finds plenty of unused PCs connected to the
Internet. She surreptitiously looks over the shoulder of another student to learn
a valid login/password combination. Alexis returns to the library several times
a week, and by using its PCs and printers she efficiently completes the extra
research projects, graduates from high school with straight A's, and gets a full-
ride scholarship to attend a prestigious university.
Questions
1. Did Alexis do anything wrong?
2. Who benefited from Alexis's course of action?
3. Who was hurt by Alexis's course of action?
4. Did Alexis have an unfair advantage over her high school classmates?
