 |
Three “Levels” of Computer Ethics
Terrell Ward Bynum
Ideally, new technology always advances, enhances and supports human values. But of course this is not an ideal world. The effects of technology are mixed. For example, the “agricultural revolution” and the “industrial revolution” brought many benefits to human beings: food for the hungry, effective medical care for the sick, relief from heavy labor, rapid and comfortable transportation, and so on. Nevertheless, problems were generated: overpopulation, world-threatening weapons, pollution, terrible accidents which killed many people, etc.
Too often, new technology develops with little attention to its impact upon human values. The mass production of automobiles, for example, had profound effects upon cities, travel, entertainment, nature, the environment, even sexual mores. Many of the consequences were unforeseen – even unimagined – by those who created the technology.
Let us do better! In particular, let us do what we can in this era of “the computer revolution” to see that computer technology advances human values.
True enough, we could argue endlessly over the meanings of terms like “privacy,” “health,” “security,” “fairness,” or “ownership.” Philosophers do it all the time – and ought to. But people understand such values well enough to desire and even to treasure them. We do not need absolute clarity or unattainable unanimity before we do anything to advance them.
Go to: What is Computer Ethics?
Home > Research Resources > Computing and Privacy > Three “Levels” of Computer Ethics
HOME | IN
THE NEWS | RESEARCH RESOURCES
TEACHING
RESOURCES | STUDENT RESOURCES
LINKS
| THE GALLERY | STAFF
The Research Center on Computing & Society
at Southern Connecticut
State University
501 Crescent Street • New Haven, CT 06515
Director: (203) 392-6790 •
e-mail: webmaster@computerethics.org
© 2000 – 2007 – Research Center on Computing & Society