Module 6: Computer Ethics

If you are to choose your top 3 difficult-to-follow computer ethics commandments, what are these?

The top three difficult-to-follow computer ethics commandments are the following:

Thou shalt not snoop around other people’s files

Thou shalt not use or copy software for which you have not paid.

Thou shalt not use other people’s computer resources without authorization

I chose these three commandments because of many reasons. For the third commandment, it can’t be avoided and I admit that sometimes I can snoop other’s files. Like for example, the email messages of my sister. I am the one who open her account and check her email if there are new messages. But the reason behind this is that she doesn’t have the time to open her email because she doesn’t have an instant access to the internet. And not only email messages but also others files in Facebook. For the sixth commandment, I also find difficulty in following this because of the fact that programs are really expensive and I can’t afford for it. And also the software or copyrights of other people are being copied without paying. As student, we would prefer to download or copy their software because we can’t really afford of buying software. And for the seventh commandment it is the difficult task among the rest because honestly I can’t avoid from it. For example, if there is an emergency research and I really need to use the computer I failed to ask the owner’s permission and their authority.

What is ransomware? Which of the 10 computer ethics commandments is/are violated by ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malware used for data kidnapping, an exploit in which the attacker encrypts the victim's data. A ransomware program can be installed from an e-mail attachment, an infected program, or a compromised or malicious web site. Most ransomware attacks are the result of clicking on an infected e-mail attachment or visiting a hacked website.Upon compromising a computer, ransomware will typically either lock a user's system or encrypt files on the computer and then demand payment before the system or files will be restored.

These are the commandments that are violated by ransomeware:

Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people. 

Thou shalt not interfere with other people’s computer work.

 Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you write.

Thou shalt use a computer in ways that show consideration and respect.

 

From the definition above it is obvious that it can really harm other people. And if one really thinks of the social consequence of his work, he should not implement this ransomeware. And above all, the person who would do this ransomeware really doesn’t have respect and doesn’t consider other people’s sake.

Suppose you are to add 2 more commandments to the existing 10 commandments of computer ethics, what are these? Are these 2 new commandments of equal importance to the existing ones?

The two commandments would be:

Though shall not use computer against religious organizations.

Though shall not use computer for fraud.

Yes, these two commandments are of equal importance with those existing ones. For the first commandment, this means that no one should use computer as a source that would destroy the image of persons involved in different religious organizations. Just like putting articles that brought negative feedback about the religious leaders in public. For the second commandment, this means that one should not use it for fraud like for example in conducting elections, and other activities.

Module 4: Finalist Theories

How often do you make an effort to practice your strengths and virtues? Are these traits key to a happy life?

Being a youth that grows from a community of religious people and god-fearing family, I believe that practicing one’s strengths and virtues are the key to a happy life. I can’t say that I practice these virtues every day, every minute, every second because I am just a human prone to mistakes and temptations. I can’t explain clearly how often but if I am going to rate myself from 1 to 10 my answer would be 8. 8 because most of my time I really did these.The 2, this could be the times that I can’t overcome my weaknesses and my negative traits. But I really tried my very best that if possible I can practice these virtues every second of my life because with it I can really feel the true happiness from my heart. I believe that these good virtues can be achieved if one really fears God and love Him because he will do the best things and acts that would really please God. And as what I have experienced every time I have done something good and practicing these virtues I can feel the contentment and a heavenly feeling within my heart - A happiness that no other things in this world can surpass.

For some, happiness relies on money. In some cases, hacking means money. Would you do hacking it if its outcome is a sure happiness of your family? What particular Aristotle theory contradicts this concept? 

It can’t be denied that majority of the people nowadays treat money as the main source of happiness. That he can’t be happy living in this world without it. And hacking is one source of having money. Hacking is unauthorized use of computer and network resources. It is the practice of modifying computer hardware and software to accomplish a goal outside of the creator’s original purpose. 

If I am to ask, I will not do hacking even though the outcome of it is a sure happiness of my family. Because I believe that it opposes the Aristotle’s concept that “Happiness is not pleasure nor it is a virtue. It is the exercise of the virtue.” Virtue is a trait that we cultivate and we may refer to it as goodness. And hacking is not a good virtue. Even though my whole family will benefit most of it but still it is not really good because the money comes from a wrong way. For example, let us assume that we have that money but still we can’t attain the real happiness from it because it can’t be taken by our conscience. And I believe that it is not a good virtue and God can’t be pleased if one will do such bad thing. And if I would not do hacking it is the same as that I am practicing the virtue of kindness.

Module 3: Preliminary Theories

"We are all here on earth to help others. What I can't figure out is what others are here for."  W.H.Auden
      God created us and we are existed here because of  different purposes. One of these may be because we are here to serve other people. We are here to realize that living here on Earth is not just about our own concerns, it's about considering others as well. That through other people around us we are able to see our sense of purpose of living. They let us realize our capabilities even if we have our own limitations. In other words, we are here because of the other people. We are created in order to become an instrument for them. Same is true with the other people, they are born to help us.

 Ethical egoists think that people will be happiest if they look out for themselves and not concern themselves with others but is this where true human happiness lies?
     True happiness can't be found on people who looked out for themselves but can be found to those people who value other. We can't be happy just because we satisfy our own wants. True happiness lies with the people whom we have offered our help. It's somewhat like an achievement. Though we are bound with limitations, by helping others we were able to realize that we could still offer them our helping hands without thinking of the things in return to our goodness.

What are the roots of egoism? Where does it come from? What do egotistical people FEAR?
       Pride, jealousy and greediness are the roots of egoism. These are within oneself. Egotistical people fear of being outdone by others because they are mostly self-centered and they always wanted to become superior.