DISCUSSION QUESTION- ETHICS

Over the past few weeks you have been reading and learning about the computer and its many and varied uses. This tool has become for most of us a "must have" device and our lives seem to be closely connected to the power of this machine. In fact, most of us would be lost without this powerful "tool".

Every day on TV, radio, and in newspapers we are told of the misuses of the computer in crimes and in the loss of personal privacy. In our own area, several universities and public institutions have had the privacy and security of their systems violated by hackers and these institutions then have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars dealing with these issues. In addition, privacy of all of the people in the system is hacked.
The problems with personal security and privacy are not going to go away. Many people do not trust the security of many websites and are reluctant to use their credit and debit cards to order or buy merchandise on line. Many individuals feel the only solution is to pass more laws to govern these issues. In addition, to be concerned is the issue of spying by the NSA and I wonder if that too is a form of ethical behavior?

Some people consider these problems as both legal and ethical issues. In the dictionary ethics is defined as "moral and religious beliefs as well as what is considered normal community standards." There are many definitions and interpretations of ethics. Some even believe the "Golden Rule" could solve many of the issues concerning privacy, however, others feel the passing of new laws is the only way to deal with these issues. There is a debate about the need to "track" all computer users and the sites they visit."

So, what do you think? Are ethics an issue to be considered in terms of using computers and their various applications, and if so how? What are ethics to you and do you think people agree with your version of ethics or not? In fact, how important are ethics in today's society and should we legislate or pass laws that specify the ethical implications of computer usage? Will laws solve all problems and do we need more laws to deal with these issues?

You are to write about 400 words in 4 or more ara ra hs to discuss this question. There is not a right answer, and please state your opinions not someone else's thoughts. Be sure you use spell check and grammar checking in WORD before you attach to an email to me.