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?
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