- Programmers instrument values (as well as the more
pragmatic procedures, input and output, etc.). Can you think
of examples of value-laden programming you've encountered?
- Programmers can also influence policy, corporate values,
and other things beyond the scope of their code. Ethical programmers
should be prepared to consider this.
- Computer hackers are the talented programmers who have
extra curiosity, motivation and perhaps a questioning attitude toward
authority. Hackers have an extra need for information ethics, to
consider the influence of their actions (or inaction)
- In college, computer science students learn many of the skills
and concepts of computing, programming, system design, etc. Usually
there's not much attention paid to how ethics and values fit with
CS professions.
- (In Business degrees, ethics are frequently taught now. Perhaps
such a requirement for CS degrees will someday be common.)
In school, the things we want students to learn
are usually made part of a curriculum.
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