Ethics Essay 1
Consider these two ethical scenarios involving computing:
Scenario A - Net Neutrality: Your internet provider, Verizicast Cable, has recently announced a new pricing plan to make them more competitive in your area. From now on, users who frequently access video-heavy websites like Netflix and Youtube will be charged higher rates than users who typically access non-video heavy websites (e.g., Wikipedia, Twitter). Do you believe that this new pricing model is ethical?
Scenario B - Software Patents: While solving a tricky problem at work, you realize that you have created a new compression algorithm that will revolutionize computing. After showing your boss, she excitedly announces that this will save the company millions and that you will enjoy a huge bonus this year. But first, they need to patent your algorithm so that no one else can use it without paying the company. Anyone who writes a similar program, even non-profits or hospitals (without paying the company thousands of dollars) will be sued. Will you agree to have your algorithm patented?
Note that neither of these scenarios is against the law. Your job is to consider the ethical issues involved in such a decision, take a stand, and defend it.
Choose ONE of the two scenarios above, and write a response that 1) summarizes the situation, 2) takes a clear stance, 3) includes a coherent argument supporting your stance, 4) references a relevant ethical theory or guideline, and 5) is written with understandable spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Refer to the Ethics Essay Guide for more information and examples.
Your essay should be structured as following:
• In the header, include your name and whether you are responding to Scenario A or Scenario B.
• One paragraph (~5 sentences) summarizing the ethical theory or guideline that you are referencing (#4 above).
• Several followup paragraphs (shoot for 400-600 more words) that includes points #1-3 above.
• A list of one or more references (you should at least have one reference for your ethical theory or guideline!).
Your overall essay should be between 500 and 750 words. Conciseness is important in communicating with colleagues. Instructors will reject posts that fall outside of this range. The reference list does not contribute to the length limit. Use URLs in the reference list to provide external information and examples.
Do not plagiarize! Put the ideas into your own words.
You should use established ethical theories and guidelines; do not invent your own theory. Refer to the following sites for examples of ethical theories and guidelines:
