Introduction:
Computing technology and its increasingly central role in our world raise unprecedented ethical issues for all users. Only recently, for example, has it been possible to easily make copies of copyright-protected music or movies and to share these with others via the Internet. To help you think through the difficult ethical issues that computer technology raises, this assignment asks you to use specific content knowledge and practice a range of skills.
Learning Goals
You will:
• identify ethical issues in situations
• explore your own feelings regarding one of the issues in the hope that they will not interfere with the critical thinking process
• practice applying the workable ethical frameworks to one of the issues you identify
• recognize that these frameworks are applicable to our everyday lives and in range of professional fields
• compare and contrast the result of applying the ethical frameworks
• Develop the following job skills:
-Communications Skills (listening, verbal, written)
-Analytical & Research Skills
-Computer & Technical Literacy (to some extent)
-Flexibility/Adaptability/Managing Multiple Priorities
-Interpersonal Abilities if you work in a group
-Leadership/ Management Skills (to some extent)
-Multicultural Sensitivity (if your topic spans cultures)
-Planning/Organizing
-Problem-Solving
-Teamwork if you work in a group
The Assignment:
Write an ethical analysis paper explicitly applying the ethical frameworks—Kant’s first two formulations of his categorical imperative, rule and act utilitarian, and social contract theory, and Rawls’ Theory of Justice, Virtue Ethics—to a computing technology ethical issue found in one of the following:
1. A case study not fully analyzed in the text.
2. Any real life scenario that addresses a computing technology ethical issue you have documentation on.
3. A movie, book, or show that addresses a computing technology ethical issue. For example: War Games, AI, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Net, etc. However, you cannot use the following movies: The Traveling Salesman; Eagle Eye; the Terminator films; The Truman Show; Office Space; Hackers; Source Code.
Important information:
1. You should NOT provide an explanation of the philosophy behind each framework. Assume your reader knows the philosophy. However, you must apply the frameworks and show the steps.
2. Your topic must be approved by me. I am attempting to eliminate duplicate presentations.
3. You may work alone, or in groups of 2 or 3, but you must submit your own paper.
4. The average paper length is 6 pages, but can be as long as ten.
5. Hard copy of draft due at your scheduled conference.
6. You will present this essay in class at the end of the quarter.
7. Your paper should be typed in Microsoft Word, doubled spaced, Times New Roman type, and 12pt
You are encouraged to visit the Writing Center for assistance: http://condor.depaul.edu/~writing/
The general outline of your paper should be as follows:
I. Intro
a. general introduction
b. clearly state the single ethical issue you are addressing in this case
II. Summary of the case – in your own words
a. summarize the entire case, listing important players and dates (maximum of one page)
III. Vent your personal feelings on the issue
a. this is the part of the paper that contains your feelings, views, and opinions
IV. List and discuss all the stakeholders
a. this is the part of the paper where you list and describe all parties that have a stake in the outcome of the issue you are addressing and why they are stakeholders.
V. Apply the act utilitarian framework
a. Do NOT explain the philosophy; assume your audience knows this
b. state the framework you are using
a. restate the ethical issue (copy and paste from first paragraph)
b. apply the framework—see handout—show steps
You do not repeat all the information on the stakeholders from above.
c. state the conclusion, i.e., is the action ethical or not based on the application of the framework; this section contains no feelings, personal views, or opinions that you do not justify using the frameworks
d. discuss problems you had applying the framework
VI. Apply Rawls’s Theory of Justice
a. restate the ethical issue (copy and paste from first paragraph)
a. Discuss principle one; does issue comply
b. Discuss principle two; does issue comply
c. Dos the application of Rawls’s affect the result of the application of the act utilitarian framework?
VII. Apply the rule utilitarian framework
a. Do NOT explain the philosophy; assume your audience knows this
b. restate the ethical issue (copy and paste from first paragraph)
c. state the framework you are using
d. apply the framework—see handout—show steps
You do not repeat all the information on the stakeholders from above.
e. state the conclusion, i.e., is the action ethical or not based on the application of the framework; this section contains no feelings, personal views, or opinions that you do not justify using the frameworks
f. discuss problems you had applying the framework
VIII. Apply the social contract framework
a. Do NOT explain the philosophy; assume your audience knows this
b. restate the ethical issue (copy and paste from first paragraph)
c. state the framework you are using
d. apply the framework—see handout—show steps
You do not repeat all the information on the stakeholders from above.
e. state the conclusion, i.e., is the action ethical or not based on the application of the framework; this section contains no feelings, personal views, or opinions that you do not justify using the frameworks
f. discuss problems you had applying the framework
IX. Apply Kant’s 1st and 2nd formulations of his categorical imperative
a. Do NOT explain the philosophy; assume your audience knows this
b. state the framework you are using
c. restate the ethical issue (copy and paste from first paragraph)
d. apply the framework—see handout—show steps
You do not repeat all the information on the stakeholders from above.
e. state the conclusion, i.e., is the action ethical or not based on the application of the framework; this section contains no feelings, personal views, or opinions that you do not justify using the frameworks
f. discuss problems you had applying the framework
X. Apply Virtue Ethics
a. Do NOT explain the philosophy; assume your audience knows this
b. state the framework you are using
c. restate the ethical issue (copy and paste from first paragraph)
d. apply the framework; show steps
You do not repeat all the information on the stakeholders from above.
e. state the conclusion, i.e., is the action ethical or not based on the application of the framework; this section contains no feelings, personal views, or opinions that you do not justify using the frameworks
f. discuss problems you had applying the framework
XI. Summary/conclusion
a. summary of paper
b. Compare/contract the outcomes of applying all 4 frameworks; are the results different? Discuss.
c. You may restate your own opinions/feelings here. Have your feelings changed?
XII. References (at least 2)
• Quinn or my handout for the frameworks
• The case you are analyzing
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