COMPUTER ETHICS

Computer Ethics is a branch of practical philosophy which deals with how computing professionals should make decisions regarding professional and social conduct.
The term "computer ethics" was first coined by Walter Maner in the mid-1970's, but only since the 1990s has it started being integrated into professional development programs in academic settings.
The conceptual foundations of computer ethics are investigated by information ethics, a branch of philosophical ethics established by Luciano Floridi. Computer ethics is a very important topic in computer applications.


IDENTIFYING ISSUES


Identifying ethical issues as they arise, as well as defining how to deal with them, has traditioaly been problematic in computer ethics.Some have argued against the idea of computer ethichs as a whole. However,Collins and Miller proposed a method of identifying issues in computer ethichs in their Paramedic Ethics model.The model is a data-centered view of judging ethical issues, involving the gathering, analysis,negotiation,and judging of data about the issue.
In solving problems relating to ethical issues, Micael Davis proposed a unique problem-solving method.In davis's model, the ethical problem is started, facts are checked, and a list of options are generated by considering relevant factors relating to the problem. The actual action taken is influenced by specific ethical standards.


SOME QUESTIONS IN COMPUTER ETHICS

There are a number of questions that are frequently discussed under the rublic of computer ethics. One set of issues deak with some of the new ethical dilemmas that have emergend, or taken on new form, whit the rise of the internet. For example, there is a wide range of behaviors that fall under the heading of "hacking" many of which have been variously defended and opposed by ethicists.
Question about software piracy are also widely incssued especially in light of file sharing programs such as Napster. Is it immoral or wrong to copy software, music, or movies ? Is so why ? A second set of questions pertaining to the Internet that are becoming more widely discussed are questions relating to the values that some way wish to promote via the Internet. Some have claimed that the internet is a "democratic technology", or an e-democracy. But is it really? Does the Internet foster democracy ? Should it ? Does the dgigital divide raise ethical issues that society is morally obligated to ameliorate ?


ETHICAL STANDARS

One of the most definitive sets of ethical standards is the Association for Computing Machinery Code of ethic. The code is a four-point standard governing ethical behavior among computing professionals. It cover the core set of computer ethics from professional responsibility to the consequences of technology in society.
Another computer ethics body is the British Computer Society, which has published a code of conduct and code of practice for computer professionals in the UK
The uniform Computer Information Transaztions act (UCITA) defines ethical behavior from the standpoint of legality, specifically during the contracting process of computing .It defines how valid computing contracts are formed, and how issues such as breach of contract are defined and settled. However, legality does not completely encompass computer ethics. It is just one facet of the constantly expanding field of computer ethics.