(752 pages) This book provides a comprehensive treatment of such major social issues as computer crime, intellectual property rights, privacy, free speech, access, and work from both an American point of view as well as those of other countries. New material in the Third Edition includes a description of the long antitrust proceedings against Microsoft, issues related to the downloading of music and video files, attempts to control controversial content on the Internet, increasingly dangerous viruses and worms, and security issues (...) following the terrorist events of September 11, 2001. Computer applications in such areas as business, medicine, education, and government are critically reviewed with respect to their related social implications. The opening three chapters include a brief history of computers and computation and a discussion of the role of technology in contemporary society. The book concludes with an overview of issues related to ethics and professionalism for computer scientists. -/- KEY FEATURES: * Presents comprehensive coverage of important social issues related to computers and the Internet * Covers Internet security issues post 9/11 * Discusses intellectual property issues related to downloading music and video files * Outlines free speech issues related to Internet content * Discusses increasing threats to individual privacy of Internet users * Covers possible ethical challenges for computer scientists * Includes a critical examination of computer applications and associated social implications. (shrink)

Radio Frequency Identification, or RFID, is a technology which has been receiving considerable attention as of late. It is a fairly simple technology involving radio wave communication between a microchip and an electronic reader, in which an identification number stored on the chip is transmitted and processed; it can frequently be found in inventory tracking and access control systems. In this paper, we examine the current uses of RFID, as well as identifying potential future uses of the technology, including item-level (...) tagging, human implants and RFID-chipped passports, while discussing the impacts that each of these uses could potentially have on personal privacy. Possible guidelines for RFID’s use, including Fair Information Principles and the RFID Bill of Rights are then presented, as well as technological solutions to personal privacy problems, such as tag killing and blocker tags, as well as simple aluminum foil shields for passports. It is then claimed, though, that guidelines and technological solutions will be ineffective for privacy protection, and that legislation will be necessary to guard against the threats posed by the RFID. Finally, we present what we believe to be the most important legislative points that must be addressed. (shrink)

Marc Hauser puts forth the theory that humans have evolved a universal moral instinct, unconsciously propelling us to deliver judgments of right and wrong independent of gender, education, and religion. Combining his cutting-edge research with the latest findings in cognitive psychology, linguistics, neuroscience, evolutionary biology, economics, and anthropology, Hauser explores the startling implications of his provocative theory vis-à-vis contemporary bioethics, religion, the law, and our everyday lives.

The essays in this volume represent the first steps by philosophers and artificial intelligence researchers toward explaining why it is necessary to add an ...