August 25 and 29 (Thu and Tue), 2023 Administrative information: objectives, textbook, syllabus, grading policy. Review of the three course websites. Definitions of computer ethics, just started (in section 2 only). Notes based on: James H. Moor. "What is Computer Ethics?" _Metaphilosopthy_, 16, 4 (October 1985), 266-275 [M85], and James, H. Moor. "Reason, Relativity, and Responsibility in Computer Ethics." In: Terrell Ward Bynum and Simon Rogerson (eds.). _Computer Ethics and Professional Responsibility_. ISBN 1-85554-844-5 [M04]. Blackwell Publishing, 2004. (In addition to Moor's article, the paper also contains historical and introductory material on the topic of Computer Ethics.)
August 31 and September 5 (Thu and Tue), 2023 HW1 assigned, due in two weeks before the start of class in the departmental dropbox. See elsewhere for details of submission. Continuation of the previous topic, with a careful discussion of key part of [M85]. Law vs. Ethics.
September 7 and September 12 (Thu and Tue), 2023 Announcement: there will be presentations by Career Center Staff at the next class meeting. This is necessary preparation for HW2, which is now on the main class website. Philosophical belief systems (ch.3 [B]): introduction, metaphysics (ontology), epistemology, axiology (ethics and aesthetics). Raphael's "School of Athens" (1511). Idealist metaphysics: the parable of the cave. Idealist epistemology. Idealist ethics: Immanuel Kant.
September 14 and September 19 (Thu and Tue), 2023 Reminder: Career Fair on Wednesday, September 27 from noon to 1600 and Thursday, September 28 from noon to 1600 at the Carolina Coliseum. Attendance is mandatory as a part of HW2. See main course website for the description of HW2. For section 2 (September 14): Presentation by Ms. Brie Panaherrera, career development coach for the College of Engineering and Computing. For section 1 (September 19): Presentation by Mr. Nicholas ("Nick") Paschvoss, career development coach for the College of Engineering and Computing.
September 21 and September 26 (Thu and Tue), 2023 HW2, HW3 and HW4 assigned. Please note that HW3 and HW4 are due before HW2. See departmental dropbox for details. Two passages from Kant's _Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals_: (1) "May I not, when I am hard pressed, make a promise with the intention of not keeping it?" and the universal law formulation of the categorical imperative; (2) "Rational nature exists as an end to itself" and the "treat humanity ... never simply as a means" formulation of the categorical imperative. Idealism: Plato's dialogue from Crito. Realism started: realist metaphysics; materialism and reductionism (Searle and Minsky).
September 28 and October 3 (Thu and Tue), 2023 Philosophical belief systems, part II: realism, pragmatism and existentialism.
October 5 and October 10 (Thu and Tue), 2023 More on existentialism. Some quotes from Joseph Pieper contrasting idealism (and realism) with existentialism. Kant on permissible actions and on conscience, as explained in: Roger J, Sullivan. _An Introduction to Kant's Ethics_. Cambridge University Press, 1994. Just consequentialism and computing, a half-lecture based on [M99].
October 12 and October 17 (Thu and Tue), 2023 The October 12 (Section 2) class was replaced by the assignment of a video with the content of the lecture. An 8-step framework for ethical decision making from [B]. Application of the framework to the culture clash example. Brief comments on IRAC, a methodology for legal analysis. A framework for ethical decision making in journalism, from: Stephanie Craft and Charles N. Davis. Principles of American Journalism: An Introduction. Routledge, 2013. A Framework for Ethical Decision Making from Santa Clara University's Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. The Digital Image Superposition Case (Bill Carter's article under "Useful Links").
October 24 and October 26 (Tue and Thu), 2023 HW5 assigned, due in two weeks. See main course web site for updated requirements. (Requirements in the Syallbus are obsolete.) Computing as a Profession.
October 31 and November 2 (Tue and Thu), 2023 HW6 assigned. See main course website. Codes of Ethics and Professional Conduct. The ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
November 7 and November 9 (Tue and Thu), 2023 The ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, complete. Some short case studies from the ACM Code booklet, including one on computer security.
November 14 and November 16 (Tue and Thu), 2023 The ACM/IEEE-CS Joint Software Engineering Code of Ethics. Three cases studies for the Joint Software Engineering Code of Ethics (source under "Useful Links" on the course website). Hacking (using Gene Spafford's analysis of the reasons why it is unethical, from Section 14.7 [B]). More about hacking from the "Ask Ethicist" section of the support material for the ACM Code on the ACM website.
November 21 (Tue), 2023 This class period was only for Section 1. Computer Ethics and Psychology. A presentation of the Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of the stages of moral development.
November 28 (Tue) and November 30, 2023 Student presentations.
December 5 (Tue) and December 7, 2023 Students are reminded to fill out the student evaluations of teaching. Students presentations. End of course.