The new computer and information technologies raise numerous ethical issues. The ethical issues themselves are not new, and in many cases have been discussed in a formal and rigorous way at least since the time of the ancient Greeks. But new technologies raise these issues in novel ways, and in some cases make them much more urgent that they were in the past.

One aim of this subject is to show where some of these ethical problems lie. The other, and perhaps the more important aim, is to demonstrate how philosophical theory and argumentation can contribute to developing solutions to these problems. As a consequence, the unit looks at both philosophical arguments and theories and at the particular contexts in which new computer and information technologies raise ethical problems. Topics covered include the philosophy of technology as it relates to computer technologies, privacy and data protection, intellectual property and the Internet, social interaction in cyberspace, artificial intelligences and cyborgs.

6,000 word essay (80%) and class presentation (20%).

Enrolment in the MA(PAE) or with the permission of the coordinator.

Herman T. Tavani,, Ethics and Technology: Ethical Issues in an Age of Information and Communication Technology Hoboken, N.J., Wiley, 2004

Hester, D. Micah and Ford, Paul J. (eds) Computers and Ethics in the Cyberage, Upper Saddle River, N.J., Prentice Hall, 2001.