Princeton University |
Computer Science 291 |
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This paper is due March 22, at the beginning of lecture. In 6-8 pages, you should defend a position on a particular issue. This position should be clearly stated somewhere in your paper's introduction, probably in the first paragraph. Furthermore, we expect high-quality, rigorous papers, which means, among other things, polished prose and full bibliographic references cited as necessary.
Here are some suggestions for paper topics. You can further narrow them until you are comfortable with a focus or area of interest. Give the papers a title of your own. As mentioned in class, you may devise a topic of your own choosing.
Based on Ira Fuchs discussion and other readings on Y2K and risks and accountability, who would you hold responsible for harms that might arise out of a Y2K bug. In writing this paper you may choose a specific example and make that the basis of your discussion. E.g. A piece of medical equipment fails causing injury or death; public utilities fail causing an accident, or death of a number of people in frail health due to cold, etc. (You may not have specific solutions but you must think of the right questions to ask.)
Gotlieb writes, "...most people, when other interests are at stake, do not care enought about privacy to value it." Critically evaluate the arguments that Gotlieb offers to support this claim. (You may choose to cover as many or as few as you see fit. Bring in considerations mentioned by authors of other course readings.)
Critically evaluate Thomas Murray's rebuttal of genetic exceptionalism as a basis for privacy policy with respect to patient records. (Focus on specific arguments that Murray consider and evaluate these arguments. You need not take on all.)
Should there be limits on what can be expressed on the Internet? What should these be? (Give reasons.) Note: this is a potentially very large project so you may wish to narrow the focus by selection one or two areas of concern.