Ethics ScenariosEthics Scenarios

Ms. LindsayMs. Lindsay

Ethics Scenario 1Ethics Scenario 1

Ben’s Game:Ben’s Game: Jerry borrows Ben’s game disks for Jerry borrows Ben’s game disks for

Monster Truck Rally II and installs them on Monster Truck Rally II and installs them on his home computer. He says he will erase his home computer. He says he will erase the game if he does not like it, or will buy the game if he does not like it, or will buy the game for himself if he likes it.the game for himself if he likes it.

What is the property? What is the property? Who is its owner? Who is its owner? What danger or discomfort might the unethical What danger or discomfort might the unethical

action cause? action cause? Is there a parallel in the physical world to this Is there a parallel in the physical world to this

scenario? scenario? Is digital media more likely to be unlawfully Is digital media more likely to be unlawfully

copied than physical media (books, videotapes, copied than physical media (books, videotapes, etc.)? Why? etc.)? Why?

Can you think of other incidents that would fall Can you think of other incidents that would fall into this category?into this category?

Ben’s GameBen’s Game

Students need to know that computer Students need to know that computer software is protected by copyright law. It is software is protected by copyright law. It is unlawful, as well as unethical, to make unlawful, as well as unethical, to make copies of computer programs without copies of computer programs without permission or payment of the producer of permission or payment of the producer of those programs. It also needs to be those programs. It also needs to be understood that when purchasing understood that when purchasing software, one is usually only purchasing software, one is usually only purchasing the right to use the software. the right to use the software.

Scenario 2Scenario 2

John’s SurveyJohn’s Survey John fills out a survey form on a computer game John fills out a survey form on a computer game

web page. The survey asks for his email web page. The survey asks for his email address, mailing address, and telephone address, mailing address, and telephone number which he fills in. In the following weeks, number which he fills in. In the following weeks, he receives several advertisements in the mail he receives several advertisements in the mail as well as dozens of email messages about new as well as dozens of email messages about new computer games.computer games.

Whose privacy is at risk? Whose privacy is at risk? What danger or discomfort might the unethical or What danger or discomfort might the unethical or

unwise action cause? unwise action cause? Is there a parallel in the physical world to this Is there a parallel in the physical world to this

scenario? scenario? What are the advantages and disadvantages of What are the advantages and disadvantages of

a business knowing your personal likes and a business knowing your personal likes and dislike? dislike?

Can you think of other incidents that would fall Can you think of other incidents that would fall into this category?into this category?

John’s SurveyJohn’s Survey answers:answers:

1.john's privacy is in danger1.john's privacy is in danger2.they could steal your identity2.they could steal your identity3.they could put your phone # in bathroom stalls3.they could put your phone # in bathroom stalls

John's privacy has been compromise having a John's privacy has been compromise having a third party with a link to several networks. This is third party with a link to several networks. This is one of the disadvantages from technology. His one of the disadvantages from technology. His identity and privacy are in risk to be stolen. His identity and privacy are in risk to be stolen. His computer system will be attack and contagious computer system will be attack and contagious with different viruses, causing an irreparable with different viruses, causing an irreparable damage to the system and loosing important damage to the system and loosing important information. information.

Scenario # 3Scenario # 3

Cindy’s Copy and PasteCindy’s Copy and Paste Cindy finds some good information about plant Cindy finds some good information about plant

growth nutrients for her science fair project on a growth nutrients for her science fair project on a CD-ROM reference title that came with her CD-ROM reference title that came with her home computer. She uses the copy function of home computer. She uses the copy function of the computer to take an entire paragraph from the computer to take an entire paragraph from the CD-ROM article and pastes it directly into the CD-ROM article and pastes it directly into her report. She also forgets write down the title her report. She also forgets write down the title of the article and the CD-ROM from which it was of the article and the CD-ROM from which it was taken. When she writes her report, she does not taken. When she writes her report, she does not cite the source in her bibliography. cite the source in her bibliography.

Cindy’s Copy and PasteCindy’s Copy and Paste

What is the property? What is the property? Who is its owner? Who is its owner? What danger or discomfort might the unethical What danger or discomfort might the unethical

action cause? action cause? Is most plagiarism deliberate or due to a lack of Is most plagiarism deliberate or due to a lack of

understanding? understanding? Is there a parallel in the physical world to this Is there a parallel in the physical world to this

scenario? scenario? Can you think of other incidents that would fall Can you think of other incidents that would fall

into this category? into this category?

Cindy’s Copy and PasteCindy’s Copy and Paste

Plagiarism is easier than ever, thanks to Plagiarism is easier than ever, thanks to the computer. Students need to the computer. Students need to understand when and how to cite sources understand when and how to cite sources in both print and electronic formats. Some in both print and electronic formats. Some plagiarism is of course deliberate, but plagiarism is of course deliberate, but much of it stems from a lack of much of it stems from a lack of understanding of what and when to cite. understanding of what and when to cite.

Adele’s Phone NumberAdele’s Phone Number

Adele “meets” Frank, who shares her Adele “meets” Frank, who shares her interest in figure skating, in an Internet interest in figure skating, in an Internet chat room. After several conversations in chat room. After several conversations in the following weeks, Frank asks Adele for the following weeks, Frank asks Adele for her home telephone number and address.her home telephone number and address.

Whose privacy is at risk? Whose privacy is at risk? What danger or discomfort might the What danger or discomfort might the

unethical or unwise action cause? unethical or unwise action cause? Is there a safe plan of action Adele might Is there a safe plan of action Adele might

take to meet Frank? take to meet Frank? Is there a parallel in the physical world to Is there a parallel in the physical world to

this scenario? this scenario? Can you think of other incidents that would Can you think of other incidents that would

fall into this category? fall into this category?

All individuals need to know that a All individuals need to know that a stranger is a stranger, whether on the stranger is a stranger, whether on the playground or on the Internet. The same playground or on the Internet. The same rules we teach children about physical rules we teach children about physical strangers apply to virtual strangers as well. strangers apply to virtual strangers as well. The fact that we cannot get clues to a The fact that we cannot get clues to a person from his or her physical person from his or her physical appearance (age, dress, gender) adds to appearance (age, dress, gender) adds to the difficulty in judging the new person.the difficulty in judging the new person.

The Golden RuleThe Golden Rule

Treat others as you want to be treatedTreat others as you want to be treated One should treat others as one would like One should treat others as one would like

others to treat oneself (positive formothers to treat oneself (positive form One should not treat others in ways that One should not treat others in ways that

one would not like to be treated one would not like to be treated