Computer Ethics 10 Commandments

1.    If you are to choose your top three difficult–to-follow computer ethics commandments, what are these? Explain why.

The ten computer ethics commandments are really not easy to follow but for me the top three that I would really have a hard time to follow would be (1) the 6^th commandment which states,  “ Thou shalt not use or copy software for which you have not paid.”, (2) the 7^th commandment, “Thou shalt not use other people’s computer resources without authorization.” And the last one and is the least difficult- to-follow computer ethics is the 3^rd commandment which states, “ Thou shalt not snoop around other people’s files”.  The 6^th commandment for me is the most difficult-to-follow computer ethics commandment because I’m already used to using and copying softwares that I have not paid for.  Though I’m already expose to what we call “free and open source software” I’m really having a hard time mastering the new softwares and therefore I continue to use the unpaid softwares even though I’m violating the 6^th commandment.  The 7^th commandment is not really difficult to follow but basing on what I’m practicing now with my friends’ computer resources obviously I’m violating this commandment.  For me the difficultness to follow this commandment is case-to-case basis because in the case of my friends’ computers, I use their resources without their proper authorization, but maybe with other people I will not have the guts to use their computer resources without their authorization especially those people that I do not know.  The least among the top three difficult-to-follow commandments that I have choosen is the 3^rd commandment.  Among the 10 computer ethics commandments it is one of the most frequent commandment that I have violated so I guess it is difficult to follow.  Just like the 7^th commandment it also a case-to-case basis especially when we talk about our friends’ files particularly when the files that I’m snooping around are movies I don’t really ask for my friend’s permission.

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

The commandments that I think I would add are the following:

(11)Thou shalt use a computer to forcibly gain access to private accounts (email accounts, user accounts and etc).

(12)Thou shalt write a program that can destroy or damage other computer   softwares.

I think these commandments are of equal important to the existing commandments because these additional two commandments just like the existing ones aim to ensure security for anyone who would use a computer.  Its purpose is to promote usage of computer without having some people’s rights being abuse.

3.   What is ransomware? Which of the 10 computer ethics commandment is violated by ransomware?

Ransomware is a form of malware in which rogue software code effectively holds a user's computer hostage until a "ransom" fee is paid. Ransomware often infiltrates a PC as a computer worm or Trojan horse that takes advantage of open security vulnerabilities. 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  (http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/ransomware.html).

I think ransomware violates the 4^th commandment to not use a computer to steal.  Implementing ransomware is just a form of stealing because you take a property of other people WRONGFULLY (in this case the files) for you to gain money.  

Module 4 Finalist Theories

1.    How often do you make an effort to practice your strengths and virtues? (A virtue is a trait you cultivate. Ex: patience, generosity kindness). Are these traits key to a happy life?

I could say that most of the time I do not practice certain virtues.  But what I’m really trying to do in everyday of my life is to avoid actions that can cause pain to others or unintentionally hurt other people.  For me virtues are the keys to a happy life, because when you practice certain virtues you can avoid actions which can cause harm to other people and thus you can prevent the disturbing feeling or guilt cause by not doing good to others.  If you’re not feeling any guilt or any disturbing feeling then you’ll have a happy life.

2.   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?

I think I will not do hacking, if it’s only because of money it is not reasonable to do hacking.  Practically speaking, I  know my family will be glad if I’ll earn some money especially when we’re talking about big amounts but I’m also sure that the bad consequences of my law- breaking actions will also cause pain and shame to my family.  For me this concept contradicts one of Aristotle’s theories of happiness which states that happiness is not pleasure, nor is it virtue, it is the exercise of virtue.  Practicing hacking violates many virtues, and thus basing on Aristotle’s theories of happiness it means that there is no real happiness because you did not exercise any virtue.

module 3 ---- Preliminary Theories

"We are all here on earth to help others. What I can't figure out is what the others are here for." --W. H. Auden. Discuss.

For me, this statement is about helping someone and obligating him or her to help you in return.  It only expresses the selfishness of humans who will only help if there’ll be something in return.  Though we obviously know that it is good to help others, we are being refrain by our self to do so because of the thinking of what will we get if we help them. We always keep in mind the question, “Will other people help me when there comes a time that I’ll need their help?” If only, we’ll focus in the first statement about being here on earth to help others and eliminate the “what about me?” syndrome, we’ll surely create a better world, a world with no chaos but only true happiness and harmony. 

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? Discuss.

Being selfish is natural to humans. Most of the people think of themselves first than anyone else in this world.  For me, looking out for our own self doesn’t fully make us happy. There a lot of things that makes a person happy and most of those things are cause by other people, our family maybe or other people important to us.  I think most of us consider the people we love and look out for as our inspirations in anything we do.  Whenever we achieve something we always dedicate it to the important people of our lives. This common practice of humans is a strong proof that true happiness happens when we only look out not only for ourselves but for others. 

What are the roots of egoism? Where does it come from? What do egotistical people FEAR?

          I think egoism comes from a person’s thought of having himself as the center of everything through thinking that he/she is better compare to others.  It rooted from a person’s desire of being superior above everyone.  Anything that can add up something to his pride he perceives it as good even though the act already causes pain to others.  Egotistical people fears humiliation or anything that includes putting down pride.