------------------------------ Date: Thu, 08 Oct 90 12:02:51 CDT From: Gordon Meyer (CuD Co-moderator) Subject: Summary of COMPUTER ETHICS (book) ******************************************************************** *** CuD #2.07: File 7 of 8: Summary of "Computer Ethics" (book) *** ******************************************************************** Here's a recently published book that will be of interest to CuD readers. This summary has been taken, verbatim, from the flaps of the dust jacket. _Computer Ethics: Cautionary Tales and Ethical Dilemmas in Computing_ Forester, Tom and Perry Morrison 1990. The MIT Press. Cambridge, Massachusetts. ISBN 0-262-06131-7 (hardcover) Price paid: $19.95 193 pages, with index _Computer Ethics_ exposes the dangers of letting society rely too heavily on computers.. Written by two insiders, it provides balanced and authoritative coverage of such topics as software unreliability, computer crime, software theft, hacking, viruses, unmanageable complexity, invasions of privacy, "artificial intelligence," and degraded work. The authors describe these problem areas with fascinating, often dramatic examples of computer abuse and misuse, augmented by extensive notes and references, role-playing exercises, and hypothetical situations. There are suggestions for further discussion at the end of each chapter. Forester and Morrison argue that it is the nature of computer systems to be unreliable, insecure, and unpredictable, and that society must face the consequences. _Computer Ethics_ is an outgrowth of the authors' work with computer science student, focusing on the ethical dilemmas these students will confront as professionals. About the authors: Tom Forester teaches in the School of Computing and Information Technology at Griffith University in Queensland, Australia, and is author or editor of six books on technology and society. Perry Morrison is Lecturer in Computing at the University of New England, New South Wales, Australia. Table of Contents: Preface and Acknowledgements 1 Introduction: Our Computerized Society Some problems created for Society by Computers - Ethical Dilemmas for computer professionals and users 2 Computer Crime The rise of the high-tech heist - Is reported crime the tip of an iceberg? - Targets of the computer criminal - Who are the computer Criminals? - Improving computer security - Suggestions for further discussion 3 Software Theft The growth of software piracy - Revenge of the nerds? - Intellectual property rights and the law - Software piracy and industry progress - Busting the pirates - Suggestions for further discussion 4 Hacking and Viruses What is hacking? - Why do hackers 'hack'? - Hackers: criminals or modern-day robin hoods? - Some 'great' hacks - Worms, trojan horses and time bombs - The virus invasion - Ethical issues - Suggestions for further discussion 5 Unreliable Computers Most information systems are failures - Some great software disasters - Warranties and disclaimers - Why are complex systems so unreliable? - What are computer scientists doing about it? - Suggestions for further discussion 6 The Invasion of Privacy Database disasters - Privacy legislation - Big brother is watching you - The surveillance society - Just when you thought no one was listening - Computers and elections - Suggestions for further discussion 7 AI and Expert Systems What is AI? - What is intelligence? - Expert systems - Legal problems - Newer developments - Ethical issues: is AI a proper goal? - Conclusion: the limits of hype - Suggestions for further discussion 8 Computerizing the workplace Computers and employment - Computers and the quality of worklife: 'De-skilling' - Productivity and People: stress, monitoring, de- personalization, fatigue and boredom - Health and safety issues: VDT's and the RSI debate - Suggestions for further discussion Appendix Autonomous Systems: the case of 'Star Wars' Index ---- CuD would welcome a review and/or summary of this book. If any CuD-ites are interested, please send one in! Terra Primum! ******************************************************************** >> END OF THIS FILE << *************************************************************************** Downloaded From P-80 International Information Systems 304-744-2253 12yrs+