Ethics and Technology: Ethical Issues in an Age of Information and Communication Technology

Book Description

"Herman Tavani has written an excellent introduction to the field of cyberethics. . . . We need a good book in cyberethics to deal with the present and prepare us for an uncertain future. Tavani's Ethics and Technology is such a book."
--from the foreword by James Moor, Dartmouth College

Is there privacy in a world of camera phones and wireless networking?
Does technology threaten your civil liberties?
How will bioinformatics and nanotechnology affect us?
Should you worry about equity and access in a globalized economy?

From privacy and security to free speech and intellectual property to globalization and outsourcing, the issues and controversies of the information age are serious, complex, and pervasive.

In this new edition of his groundbreaking book, Herman Tavani introduces computer professionals to the emerging field of Cyberethics, the interdisciplinary field of study that addresses these new ethical issues from all perspectives: technical, social, and philosophical. Using fascinating real-world examples--including the latest court decisions in such cases as Verizon v. RIAA, MGM v. Grokster, Google versus the Bush Administration, and the Children's Online Pornography Act (CIPA) --as well as hypothetical scenarios, he shows you how to understand and analyze the practical, moral, and legal issues that impact your work and your life. Tavani discusses such cutting-edge areas as:
* Globalization and outsourcing
* Property rights and open source software
* HIPAA (privacy laws) and surveillance
* The Patriot Act and civil liberties
* Bioinformatics and genomics research
* Converging technologies--pervasive computing and nanocomputing
* Children's online pornography laws

Updating and expanding upon the previous edition, Ethics and Technology, Second Edition provides a much-needed ethical compass to help computer and non-computer professionals alike navigate the challenging waters of cyberspace.

About the Author

Herman T. Tavani is Professor of Philosophy at Rivier College and Co-Director of the International Society for Ethics and Information Technology (INSEIT). He is the author, editor, or co-editor of five books on ethical aspects of information technology.

www.wiley.com/college/tavani

Customer Reviews:

Repectable, updated text.......2007-07-05

While this book would not normally be one that I would purchase to read on its own, it was the textbook for a course on computer ethics that I took and I was pleasantly surprised to find the textbook written in a very approachable matter.

The text starts off with an overview in general ethical theory before starting in to the focus of the text - various issues and how they apply to the growing use of computer technology in the modern world. Some of the topics covered include surveillance, privacy, and file sharing among others. Included with the various issues are up to date examples for recent cases and point/counterpoint perspectives on the topics.

The text does lose some points due to the fact that the last few chapters run a bit thin and could stand to be expanded a bit, but as a whole the text is quite detailed and provides plenty of citations to allow the reader to find attentional information.

More academic than I'm used to, but solid information..........2006-12-10

It seems that every time you turn around, there's some news story in the industry press about the ethics or legality of some aspect of technology. To help myself understand some of the underlying issues a bit better, I decided to read and review Ethics & Technology: Ethical Issues in an Age of Information and Communication Technology (2nd Edition) by Herman T. Tavani. While not the easiest or most riveting read, I did come away with a better appreciation for the field of ethics.

Contents: Introduction To Cyberethics - Concepts, Perspectives, and Methodological Frameworks; Ethical Concepts and Ethical Theories - Establishing and Justifying a Moral System; Critical Thinking Skills and Logical Arguments - Tools for Evaluating Cyberethics Issues; Professional Ethics, Codes of Conducts, and Moral Responsibility; Privacy and Cyberspace; Security in Cyberspace; Cybercrime and Cyberrelated Crimes; Intellectual Property Disputes in Cyberspace; Regulating Commerce and Speech in Cyberspace; Social Inclusion, The Digital Divide, and the Transformation of Work - The Impact for Class, Race, and Gender; Community and Identity in Cyberspace - Ethical Aspects of Virtual-Reality and Artificial-Intelligence Technologies; Pervasive Computing and Converging Technologies - Ethical Aspects of Ambient Intelligence, Bioinformatics, and Nanocomputing; Glossary; Index

Having never taken a class on ethics or critical thinking, I found the first three chapters interesting. Tavani builds the foundation of how to define and describe cyberethics, as well as how to determine and argue the case of what is "moral". These chapters are a concise course on how to build an argument and support it properly. After those three chapters are done, the concepts that were built are used to examine many different facets of computers and life, and how ethics come into play and shape how we think. There are the subjects you'd expect, like digital rights and security. But he also covers issues that I don't normally think of when dwelling on computers and ethics... gender, socioeconomic classes, race. First you have to determine if indeed those things are ethical issues, and if so, what responsibility do you have in those areas.

On one hand, the book is thorough and detailed. It's meant to be a textbook on the subject, and as such it delivers. These are the types of academic discussions and debates that you'd expect in a formal setting. I was somewhat disappointed, however, when it came to conclusions. Both sides of each issue were debated (even when I didn't even think there *was* another side), but resolution was elusive. I suppose I'm supposed to take this information and draw my own conclusions, but instead I came away with "so everything's right *and* wrong". Since I tend to want to get down to practical issues rather than deal with abstracts, I found it hard to come to any resolution at the end of each chapter.

Definitely good material, and worth reading. But it will make you work and think.

A really interesting little-ish book.......2003-12-20

This book was on the prescribed text list for the masters I am doing (Master of Informaiton Technology) and I must say I was pleasantly surprised to read it. Being a technical (engineer) person, it's a generalized opinion that this group (enclave?) we like mathematics, science and engineering books, but not so called 'arty farty' stuff like philosophy. Speaking for me personally, isn't far from the truth...So I thought...groan, not another one of these idealistic, pointless, ultimately altruistic and futile failures to read. Indeed not! I actually enjoyed reading it! (shock-horror). Tavani uses the ploy of relating his ideas to real-life situations (stalking, cracking, etc). This lends the book a serious air of legitimacy. The ivory tower is nowehere in sight. He doesn't lecture at you like you're a poor, misguided computer geek who could never possibly understand human morals and ethics in a digital world (the point is to help you do that...which Tavani does).

Back to the point: the book builds form the point of view that you have never been exposed to ethics. You get a grounding in ethical theories and then move on to learning how to evaluate ethical issues (kind like logic in mathematics without the symbols). He talks about codes of practice and your moral responsibility as a somebody who works, creates or manages a little corner of cyberspace. It is at this point that the book leaps forward into relevant (if somewhat shallow treatment) of the major issues ike privacy, piracy, crime, security,freedom of speech and equity. These are also posited through scenarios and then the ethics involved are developed through direct discussion of these scenarios. And as I alluded to previously, these give the book an excellent 'hook'. They make the theory real and relevant and rather interesting (and sometimes tragic: you'll see what I mean when you read the first scenario involving a teenage girl stalked thorugh the net and ultimately murdered in realty).

This is a provocative book, but in a subdued, subtle way. The author doesn't speed feed you heaped spoonsfuls of moral outrage with lashings of indignant pontification, just ideas (and these are ever so valuable) in a considered manner. I think the author has really succeeded here. If he can make a totally 'technical' person like me actually enthusiastic about reading it, then that's truly indicative of the book's quality.

The price may be a little high for what is a pretty thin book in a physical sense. Ideaswise it is quite rich, so that's the price you pay (it this ethical? ideas are only available to those who can affort it!) That aside, I got a lot from this little book and so consider it money well spent.

All in all a good 'starting' book for cyberethics! Thumbs up! However consider you may find yourself supplementing it with other braoder, deeper works as you progress because it is a rich field to learn in. Tavani will open this vista up for you if you approch this book with a willingness to put aside your prejudices and listen to what he has to say.

Cyberethics: Social & Moral Issues in the Computer Age (Contemporary Issues (Prometheus))

Average customer rating:

Nearly completely worthless
Examines new moral issues

Cyberethics: Social & Moral Issues in the Computer Age (Contemporary Issues (Prometheus))

Manufacturer: Prometheus Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1573927902

Customer Reviews:

Nearly completely worthless.......2004-12-21

This text must be one of the worst books on ethics I've ever seen. The authors start with a basic assumption that information technology changes ethical issues and never examine this fundamentally flawed belief. The essays are extreme and manage to make their own points sound rediculous even when they are reasonable.
There are errors in their references and their interpretation and use of other texts.
This book is painful to read.

Examines new moral issues.......2001-02-22

The transformation of society brought about by computers has brought with it new moral dilemmas, from the impact of computers on privacy and copyright issues to the involvement of computers in personal lives. Cyberethics offers the reader 26 essays examining these new moral issues and provide thoughtfully reasoned answers to ethical questions.

Ethical and Social Issues in the Information Age

Average customer rating:

A myriad of topics each discussed briefly

Ethical and Social Issues in the Information Age
Joseph M. Kizza
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 038795421X

Book Description

Rapid advances in computing and information science often outpace society's ability to adapt its moral and legal codes. Different computing paradigms applied to the same ethical issues can often lead to conflicting confusions. This second edition examines ethical, social, and policy challenges stemming from the emergence of cyberspace, the convergence of telecommunications, and other information handling products. The book broadly surveys thought-provoking questions about the impact of these new technologies, with particular emphasis on the growth of the Internet, artificial intelligence, cyberspace, and virtual reality. Topics and features: * Describes how changes in information technology influence morality and the law. * Surveys the history of computing and the recent evolution of computer crimes * Incorporates recent requirements for computer science curricula * Assess workplace concerns related to privacy, surveillance, and virtual offices * Contains numerous discussion and research projects on all presented material * Considers what should be covered in a professional code of conduct of IT professionals * Offers a pertinent discussion on civil liberties, harassment, and discrimination..

Customer Reviews:

A myriad of topics each discussed briefly.......2000-02-20

Excellent chapters covering morality, law, ethics, professional codes, and intellectual property rights. Provides a basic introduction to many topics that stimulate further study, research, and discussion. Discussion of social issues is limited. The weaker chapters are the modern areas of the information age such as cyberspace, the internet, email, privacy, security, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality.

Information Ethics in the Electronic Age: Current Issues in Africa and the World

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Information Ethics in the Electronic Age: Current Issues in Africa and the World

Manufacturer: McFarland & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0786417420

Book Description

This collection of essays explores the ethical issues that arise when information technology seems to exceed and even contradict the purpose of its creators. The studies focus upon the management of information technology, specifically the Internet, considering the most ethical ways of generating, using, and controlling information technology in our time.

Section One includes essays pertaining to Africa's place in the 21st century, including democracy, information flow, connections with the world through the Internet, telecommunications, Uganda and the digital divide, and an examination of a pilot study in South Africa for developing a universal tool to measure information poverty. The essays of Section Two cover topical library issues, such as professional information organizations and their ethic codes, communicating ethics when teaching electronic research to undergraduates, pay-for-placement search engines, consumer health information services, laws applying to confidentiality of library records, privacy control after September 11, cybercrime investigation, and the technologies protecting copyright. The essays were originally presented at the "Ethics of Electronic Information in the 21st Century" symposium held at the University of Memphis on October 24-27, 2002. Each includes references and helpful Internet resources.

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Pandora's Box: Social and Professional Issues of the Information Age
Andrew A. Adams , and Rachel McCrindle
Manufacturer: Wiley
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ASIN: 0470065532

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This book presents the current social, ethical and legal issues raised by the constant advance of technology. Through case studies and discussion topics the authors examine the background of a wide range of contemporary issues from digital entertainment and education, to censorship and privacy issues in the “Information Age”. The authors encourage students to examine the social, ethical and legal challenges they will face in their future careers, stressing the leading role that computer scientists play in the development of new technology. Their decisions will directly affect the lives of people around the world. Using thought-provoking and motivational discussion, this book examines topics which have come to the forefront of public consciousness in recent years, including online crime, piracy and peer-to-peer file sharing.

Ethical and Social Issues in the Information Age.(Book Reviews): An article from: Technical Communication

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Ethical and Social Issues in the Information Age.(Book Reviews): An article from: Technical Communication
Eric Eller
Manufacturer: Society for Technical Communication
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Technical Communication, published by Society for Technical Communication on February 1, 2004. The length of the article is 1196 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Ethical and Social Issues in the Information Age.(Book Reviews)
Author: Eric Eller
Publication: Technical Communication (Refereed)
Date: February 1, 2004
Publisher: Society for Technical Communication
Volume: 51 Issue: 1 Page: 141(3)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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Ethical and Social Issues in the Information Age
Joseph Kizza
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N7KL8Q

Food; Ages 7 - 9 (Reading for Information Pack)

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Food; Ages 7 - 9 (Reading for Information Pack)
David Wray , and Maureen Lewis
Manufacturer: Scholastic
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Customer Reviews:

poor.......2005-11-03

I was disappointed with how dirty the book was. I had to remove a dead insect from one of the chapters.

Preparing For The NYS Real Estate Salesperson Licencing Exam.......2001-12-17

This text on the material necessary to pass the New York State Real Estate Salespersons Exam does that and much more,
It is an up to date practicum on recent developments
in the real estate field in both downstate and upstate
markets.
Additionally, It is structured in two parts, saving those
who eventually sit for the Brokers exam the need to
aquire a second exam review text.

.
Finally,the book has a particularly detailed format
concerned with ever changing legal forms necessary
for salespersons to be conversant with attorneys who
are an intricant part of the realty world.

.

Average customer rating:

this book is pretty good

Excellent Book

Clear and thorough

This is the Standard Class Reference for NY DOS Class

Everything You Need To Know

Modern Real Estate Practice in New York for Salespersons and Brokers (Modern Real Estate Practice in New York)
Edith Lank
Manufacturer: Dearborn Financial Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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New York Real Estate Exam Review

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The Ultimate Guide to Buying and Selling Coops and Condos in New York City

ASIN: 0793104777

Customer Reviews:

this book is pretty good.......2006-02-02

my mother is dumb as bread and somehow she still understood this pook, its a miracle, i highly suggest it..

Excellent Book.......2005-08-07

I highly recommend this book for those of you who are taking Real Estate classes and also first time home buyers. Edith Lank gives a clear understanding of each chapter; there's also a practice exam after each chapter. This book is my bible for Real Estate!

Clear and thorough.......2005-07-19

I bought this book for a class I am taking at a local college, in preparation for the NYS R.E. Salesperson's License.

The author, Edith Lank, does an excellent job of explaining all the industry terminology and gives a clear and thorough treatment of the subject.

I recommend this book for anyone interested in learning the basics of real estate practice.

This is the Standard Class Reference for NY DOS Class.......2004-06-23

I am in the middle of New York's prerequisite course for the Dept. of State exam. In searching for an acceptable school I became aware that hands down all the schools I engaged used Edith Lank's Mod R E Practices in NY (8th ed.) as the classroom text.

As far as it's readability, it is indeed a textbook, and reads that way. Pertinent areas are of the text are in a light blue to punctuate their importance ( I think I would have used red myself). These areas have mostly coincided with what the teacher asks you to highlight as important Exam points. Also, there are questions at the end of each chapter to reinforce the points of the chapter. A reasonable amount of time is spent on basic math concepts (algebra and geometry) if you paid attention in High School you can glean this chapter. The general topics include:

Deeds
Mortgages
Basic Finance
Liens
Easements
Laws of Agency
Contracts
Closings
Estates and Interests

Some of the students in the class complained that it uses too much legalese and reads like a Law book. Although this is not a law book per se, it deals with laws and statutes, regulations, interpretations of law, etc. So it should be a little more legalese than other types of reading.

There were a few typos in the main text as well as the Q/A sections. The book reads well enough to prompt me to purchase Lank's Test Prep guide as well, although I do not have it yet After taking the exam I will leave feedback as to the helpfulness of the exam Prep.

In general, I would recommend this book not only to those studying to be an agent, but for first time home buyers as well. The downstate region of NY (from Westchester down through Long Island) is different from the rest of the entire Unites States when it comes to Real Estate law and practices/customs. The information contained therein will help in knowing what your options are and who is working for/against you in the transaction. Or if you are just an information junkie, this is a great way to learn about the trade.

Everything You Need To Know.......2004-06-22

This is a great book although if you havent taken your Real Estate course yet you may want to wait because this book was provided for us when we took the class. This book teaches you about the laws, math, whos who, and who does what. At the end of each chapter there is a summary and questions and in the back of the book there is a test that will get you ready for the state test. The only thing this book does not do is that it doesnt really go over any skills or tips on selling real estate. Overall, its a must have book.

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