PAPER 2
Write a paper 5-8 pages in length on one of the topics below. Or, you may
select your own topic. If you do, be sure to discuss this in advance with
the preceptor or instructor.
Note: many of the topics are larger in scope than can be handled,
thoroughly, in 5-8 pages. It is fine to limit your attention to a sub-part
of the question but be sure to state this at the outset and explain clearly
how you have limited the scope.
- Discuss the Netscape/Hot Java security flaw from the point of view of
accountability and professional responsibility. Use the questions below as
a guide:
- Was the incident avoidable?
- How ought it to have been
handled; suggest and defend a set of moral guidelines for companies
and computer professionals finding themselves in such situations.
- Would Netscape and Sun pass Nissenbaum's standards of
accountability? (Defend your answer.)
- According to Professor Felten's account did Sun and Netscape react
responsibly?
- Who is most to blame?
- Ought society seek punishment for these types of
errors?
You need only provide a level of detail about the bug and the various
responses by Sun and Netscape that is necessary for your discussion
about responsibility, professional responsibility, accountability,
etc. The attached news articles give a good overview. Also, refer to
the relevant web link on the course web site. You will find your
lecture notes from Professor Felten's in-class presentation very
useful.
- Choose any scenario from the chapters you have read in
Computer Ethics and construct Utilitarian and
Deontological moral arguments to support or oppose suggested courses
of action. So for example, if the agent A must decide between action x
or y, construct Utilitarian and Deontological arguments in favor and
against and then give your "on balance" judgment as to what A ought to
do. (Note: you may couch Deontological arguments in terms of rights or
duties and if applicable, bring in considerations of justice.)
- Evaluate arguments for and against granting copyrights for
computer program interfaces in reference to Lotus Development Corp
v. Paperback Corp.
- Critically evaluate Richard Stallman's position. Be sure to refer
to articles in Chapter 3 of CESV.
- A teacher in a public school in a poor neighborhood of the Bronx
thinks that Math-Ace, a computer program, will greatly enhance the
mathematical skills of his (or her) students. The school, however,
cannot afford to pay the price tag for group use. The teacher decides
to buy a personal copy to install on all of the school's machines.
Write a paper that considers whether his action is morally
defensible. Draw on articles about software ownership as well as
ethical theory.
- Choose from Paper 1 topics a) and c)
given in Course Web page.
DUE DATE: April 1, 5 pm in Julian's mailbox in 2-N-2 Green Hall
Grade penalties will be assessed for late papers.
Papers will be accepted in concrete, dead-tree form only!
jdierkes@cs