ethics education in the microchip millennium
In today's fast-paced, technology-dependent society, individuals are often confronted with a wide variety of ethical dilemmas and moral issues when living, learning and working in an Information Technology (IT) environment. In many instances, IT users find themselves at a loss, because it is often not clear which, if any, moral rule applies. In addition, if two or more moral rules are relevant this can also lead to problems and confusion, particularly if those rules clash. Furthermore, ethical ignorance concerning IT security and IT-related crimes, not withstanding overt disregard, can cause many individuals to make inappropriate decisions, such as virus creation, the invasion of privacy and the proliferation of e-mail hoaxes. In this paper, which is designed to guide and assist both educators and administrators in their efforts to improve, expand and/or create an ethics workshop or credit course, the authors will discuss the unethical actions associated with IT and the motivations that are often promulgated by lack of awareness. The authors also point out the increasing and critical need for universities and colleges to take a more active role--including, but not limited to, compulsory ethics education--in preparing students, faculty and staff for the ethical IT dilemmas they may encounter both academically and professionally in the "Microchip Millennium.
ethics education ethical dilemmas information technology compulsory