Computer and Information Ethics:: Contributions to the Study of Computer Science

Citation

Shelton, M. (1999), "Computer and Information Ethics:: Contributions to the Study of Computer Science", Collection Building, Vol. 18 No. 2, pp. 97-98. https://doi.org/10.1108/cb.1999.18.2.97.2

John Weckert’s information technology background and Douglas Adeney’s philosophy background come together to produce an excellent monograph that addresses the issues surrounding computer and information ethics. By dealing with computer ethics and information ethics both individually and together, the book finds balance in its presentation of topics. Balance is also shown as the authors look at the issues from many ethical and philosophical viewpoints, with no one view given greater importance, nor shown to be more right. The views are used as platforms to pose many questions pertaining to computer and information issues.

The book has basically a three‐part structure. The first part provides foundational information on ethics and different ethical theories, and also addresses the issue of professional ethics for both computer and information experts. This section can be difficult to work through, and the authors recognize this challenge but stress the value of this foundation material. The second part deals with information‐related issues. These include freedom and how it relates to information, its use and access, as well as how image manipulation and freedom impact on each other. Censorship of the Internet, intellectual property and privacy are examined in general and in view of how they are affected by computers. The last part of the book focuses on computers. A chapter on “Responsibility” addresses the issue of accountability with respect to software reliability and failure. What a computer should or should not be allowed to do is examined in light of scenarios where human judgement is required. This sets the stage for dealing with computers in the workplace and their impact on our quality of life. Virtual reality and sex, and the impact of artificial intelligence, are also addressed.

At the end of each chapter a list of further readings is provided to support further exploration of particular topics. The authors provide a glossary which helps to keep the ethical views differentiated and defined and is very beneficial if the reader is not well versed in the many ethical views presented in the book. Although at times this book is difficult to read, the authors do an excellent job in putting together a balanced work that does more than just skim the surface. Each ethical and philosophical viewpoint is given equal time, and efforts are made to answer the myriad of questions posed. For the librarian or information professional who wants to take a step deeper into the issues relating to computer and information ethics, this book is a great starting point.