Greg Dykes
Computer Ethics
Assignment #1


1. Identify and formulate the basic ethical issues in each case. Also consider
 the legal issues (if any) and whether or not there seems to be a conflict 
between law and morality.

2. What are your first impressions or reactions to these issues- in other words,
 what does your moral intuition say about the action or policy under 
consideration: Is it right or wrong?

3. Consult the appropriate formal guidelines. This includes relevant corporate
 ethics codes or professional codes of conduct such as the ACM code 
(see Appendix).

4. Analyze the issues from the viewpoint of one or more of the ethical theories
 (consequentialism, pluralism, contractarianism). 

5. Do the ethical theories point to one decision or course of action or do they
 bring you to different conclusions? If so, which principle or avenue of 
reasoning should you take?

6. What is your normative conclusion about the case (what should be the 
organization's or individual's course of action?).

7. Finally, what are the public policy implications of this case and your 
normative conclusion? Should the recommended behavior be prescribed through 
legislation or regulations?