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Lecture 28

Lecture 28. Social & Legal Issues (S&G, ch. 14). Simulation & Models. Recall our discussion of models: a model is intended to address a certain class of questions or issues models make simplifying assumptions

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Lecture 28

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  1. Lecture 28 Social & Legal Issues (S&G, ch. 14) CS 100 - Lecture 28

  2. Simulation & Models • Recall our discussion of models: • a model is intended to address a certain class of questions or issues • models make simplifying assumptions • Recall the omission of aerodynamic stability from bridge models before the Tacoma Narrows Bridge disaster • Nevertheless, computer models & simulations are essential CS 100 - Lecture 28

  3. Evaluating Models • How well is the underlying science understood? • What sorts of simplifying assumptions are made? • How well does the model agree with experimental results? CS 100 - Lecture 28

  4. Computer Crime • Often just a new or “better” way to commit traditional crimes • Ampliative aspects of computer technology • may allow committing crimes on a larger scale • Reductive aspects of computer technology • may make it harder to detect crimes, identify criminals, etc. CS 100 - Lecture 28

  5. Some Kinds of Computer Crime • Fraud, embezzlement & theft • Stealing (data) • “Hacking” (system cracking) • individual systems • the information infrastructure • benign hacking? • Viruses & worms: reproduce selves • virus: hides in another program • worm: an independent program CS 100 - Lecture 28

  6. Constitutional & Civil Liberties Issues • 1st Amendment protects freedom of speech & press • 4th Amendment protects against unreasonable search & seizure • Do they apply to electronic & other new media? • So far, the courts generally have held them to apply, but there is much uncertainty CS 100 - Lecture 28

  7. Communication Media • Is the operator of a communication medium responsible for the information it carries? • analogy: telephone companies & post office • analogy: a privately-owned meeting room • Can the operator restrict this information? • analogy: telephone companies & post office • analogy: private presses CS 100 - Lecture 28

  8. Encryption & Wiretapping • Encryption can be used to ensure privacy & authenticity • may be used for legal/illegal purposes • May be subject to export restrictions • What provisions should be made for government interception & recording of communications? • What limits should be imposed on the government? CS 100 - Lecture 28

  9. These questions are especially relevant to issues such as the“USA PATRIOT” Act CS 100 - Lecture 28

  10. How do we address these issues? • Engineering issues (efficiency, economy, elegance) • addressed by engineering analysis & other kinds of technical expertise • Legal issues • addressed by lawyers, courts, etc. • Ethical issues • addressed by ethicists & ethical analysis CS 100 - Lecture 28

  11. New Ethical Issues • Consider a relatively well-defined ethical problem: • Is it ethical to “hack” into someone else’s computer system (and do no damage)? • Traditional moral codes do not address this issue! • So we must apply ethical analysis CS 100 - Lecture 28

  12. Ethical Analysis • Only touching on a few basic ideas • Ethics = “the study of how to decide if something is morally right or wrong” • What criteria are used for judging the rightness or wrongness of an action? • There are several well-established approaches to defining criteria CS 100 - Lecture 28

  13. Consequentialism • If the consequences of an act are on the whole good, then the act is good • If the consequences of an act are on the whole bad, then the act is bad • Good or bad for whom? • Utilitarian criterion: the greatest total happiness • Also, may be difficult to predict consequences CS 100 - Lecture 28

  14. Deontological Criterion • Deontology = the study of moral obligation • Rather than focusing on the consequences of an act, deontological arguments focus on the inherent nature of the act • Two important questions: • What is the intent of the act? • Is it a defensible, responsible act? CS 100 - Lecture 28

  15. Two Important Toolsof Ethical Analysis • Dialectic • Analogy CS 100 - Lecture 28

  16. Dialectical Method • Root meaning of dialectic is conversation • Philosophical dialectic: a method of approaching the truth by moving critically among two or more viewpoints • The strengths & weaknesses of each viewpoint are revealed, especially from the perspective of the others • Ideal outcome: a synthesis that combines the strengths & eliminate the weaknesses • More commonly, leads to better understanding of improved viewpoints CS 100 - Lecture 28

  17. Analogical Method • Identify analogous situations that are more familiar or better understood • Identify similarities & differences between the analogy and the issue of concern • Consider their relevance to the issue • Explore competing analogies dialectically CS 100 - Lecture 28

  18. A Method of Ethical Analysis • Identify stakeholders • Identify what is at stake(utilitarian step) • Identify duties & responsibilities(deontological step) • Think of & evaluate analogies • Make a decisionor repeat the steps CS 100 - Lecture 28

  19. Three Case Studies • Sharing music files • Zimmerman & PGP encryption • “Hacking” computer systems CS 100 - Lecture 28

  20. Reminder:Final ExamMonday, May 32:45 – 4:45 CS 100 - Lecture 28

  21. Next Time:a movie on the history of computing&a short quiz (to ensure you pay attention!) CS 100 - Lecture 28

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