ETHICS AND COMPUTERS

THE "OIL AND WATER" MIX OF THE COMPUTER WORLD?

Abstract

This paper deals with the need, the difficulty, and the present direction of determining what is and is not ethicalin dealing with the creation and exchange of materials to be used on computers. First the need is presented,based on the supposition that the majority of American industry utilizes computers. Next a definition of ethicsis given. Following the definition, specific problems confronted by computer users in determining what isethical are presented. Finally, several examples concerning the present trends in computer ethics are given,with a call for continued efforts for full protection under the law for computer hardware, software, andcourseware.