Overview
- Offers a stimulating approach to ethical issues in computing, science, and tech, driven by case studies and examples
- Considers professional obligations and codes of conduct
- Explores how tertiary education can accommodate the fluid employment landscape resulting from future proliferation of AI/robotics
- Examines the ethics of research, and its additional relevance to the medical community
- Develops principles of ethics in the workplace, particularly ethical leadership, of relevance to the business community
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Table of contents (11 chapters)
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Front Matter
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Back Matter
Keywords
- Ethical practice in engineering and computer science
- Engineering ethics
- Professional responsibilities in science and engineering
- Ethical dilemmas in engineering
- Morality in science and engineering
- Ethical decision making in engineering
- Ethics and the environment
- Legal issues in computing and engineering
- Surveillance and internet censorship
- Informatics in health and social care
- Ethical issues in research
- Engineering codes of conduct
About this book
This comprehensive textbook introduces students to the wide-ranging responsibilities of computing, science and engineering professionals by laying strong transdisciplinary foundations and by highlighting ethical issues that may arise during their careers. The work is well illustrated, and makes extensive use of both activities, and ethical dilemmas which are designed to stimulate reader engagement. A number of memorable case studies are also included and frequently draw on the demanding aerospace industry.
The book adopts a strongly human centric approach, with matters such as privacy erosion and censorship being viewed not only in their current context but also in terms of their ongoing evolution. What are our individual ethical responsibilities for ensuring that we do not develop for future generations a technological leviathan with the potential to create a dystopian world?
A broad range of technologies and techniques are introducedand are examined within an ethical framework. These include biometrics, surveillance systems (including facial recognition), radio frequency identification devices, drone technologies, the Internet of Things, and robotic systems. The application and potential societal ramifications of such systems are examined in some detail and this is intended to support the reader in gaining a clear insight into our current direction of travel. Importantly, the author asks whether we can afford to allow ongoing developments to be primarily driven by market forces, or whether a more cautious approach is needed. Further chapters examine the benefits that are associated with ethical leadership, environmental issues relating to the technology product lifecycle (from inception to e-waste), ethical considerations in research (including medical experimentation involving both humans and animals), and the need to develop educational programs which will better prepare students for the needs of a much more fluid employment landscape.
The final chapter introduces a structured approach to ethical issue resolution, providing a valuable, long-term source of reference. In addition it emphasises the ethical responsibilities of the professional, and considers issues that can arise when we endeavour to effect ethically sound change within organisations. Examples are provided which highlight the possible ramifications of exercising ethical valour.
The author has thus created an extensively referenced textbook that catalyses student interest, is internationally relevant, and which is multicultural in both its scope and outlook.
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Dr Barry G Blundell FBCS, CEng, CPhys, CITP is a physicist and widely experienced academic who has held university positions in computer science, physics and engineering, in the UK, US, New Zealand, Sweden, and the UAE. He has worked widely with the commercial sector and is currently with the University of Derby, UK. To date he has published 12 research, teaching and technical books. With many years of experience in designing and delivering undergraduate and graduate courses focusing on ethical and professional issues for science and technology centric degree programmes, he is committed to the presentation of stimulating and thought-provoking transdisciplinary content which will lay valuable foundations for students throughout their professional careers.
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Ethics in Computing, Science, and Engineering
Book Subtitle: A Student’s Guide to Doing Things Right
Authors: Barry G. Blundell
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-27126-8
Publisher: Springer Cham
eBook Packages: Religion and Philosophy, Philosophy and Religion (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XXV, 916
Number of Illustrations: 17 b/w illustrations, 411 illustrations in colour
Topics: Engineering Ethics, Job Careers in Science and Engineering, Legal Aspects of Computing, The Computing Profession, Philosophy of Technology, Environmental Law/Policy/Ecojustice