James Moor - Computer Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

James Moor - Computer Ethics - Essay Example 269). Thus, individuals are empowered to perform a large number of operations previously unavailable to them. An example might be the ability to make microloans to individuals in developing countries: an ability that most people in developed countries did not have 20 to 30 years ago. As ethical philosophers have pointed out for centuries, even though one can perform a certain action that does not necessarily mean one ought to perform that action. Given this basis for Moor’s discussion of computer ethics, it seems that Moor successfully argues for special consideration of computer ethics as a specialized area in moral philosophy. Early in his essay, Moor introduces the concept of a â€Å"policy vacuum†, which limits the public’s ability to utilize the potential of computer technology. A policy vacuum is an absence of officially recognized public standards for how to utilize a resource. One often finds a policy vacuum where there is cutting-edge technology that the public does not seem to have a use for. A current example of a policy vacuum might be related to green technology, which is subject to endless political debates. Even though the technology exists, it is unclear how the public will deploy those resources and gain benefits from it. Another example of a policy vacuum may exist in developing nations where modern technology is new and not well-understood. In such a case, the country may not see the need for the new resource and thus not capitalize on its potential. Moor also introduces the notion of a â€Å"conceptual vacuum† early in his paper. Although a conceptual vacuum occurs in concert with a policy vacuum, the conceptual vacuum invariably occurs before and causes the policy vacuum. That is, without a â€Å"coherent conceptual framework within which to formulate a policy for action†, there can be no policy for action, which produces the inevitable result of a policy vacuum. A coherent conceptual framework is necessar y because one cannot, for instance, explain the benefits of high-speed broadband to the leader of a developing country who has never used, let alone heard of, the internet. Another example of a conceptual vacuum might be, with respect to the United States, is the debate over the use of renewable energy and â€Å"green† technology. The consequences of a change to alternative sources of energy might not be conceptually compatible with a view of the world that does not admit of the consequences of global climate change. Thus, a policy vacuum results when those who are in charge of making decisions cannot comprehend the conceptual basis of their decisions. Further into his essay, Moor begins to establish a basis for comparing the â€Å"Computer Revolution† with the â€Å"Industrial Revolution†. The reason for this comparison probably lies in the ethical dilemmas evoked by the Industrial Revolution, which Moor is trying to draw parallels with in our modern age. In on e respect, the Computer Revolution is complete: the sense in which our lives have become thoroughly interconnected with computer technology (by means of laptop computers and mobile phones). Nevertheless, in a second sense, the Computer Revolution is not over: the sense in which computer technology has yet to fully develop and fully integrate with every

Human Relationships in Todays Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Human Relationships in Todays Culture - Essay Example The first part of the article from a man’s perspective for a male audience starts off with the claim that a man’s ego stands in the way of successful resolution to many conflicts, including conflicts that arise from poor communication (Mitchell). Typical â€Å"male† forces force men to pursue an often-destructive path toward â€Å"being right†, which creates problems in relationships. For that reason, the author claims that men are worse at relationship-based communication, but not much worse than women. As a result, the author recommends first to make time for each other. That includes taking the time to sit together, cook together, travel together, and to eat together and being open and honest about the things that trouble the relationship while reassuring that the overall relationship is strong. Another piece of advice is to be an active listener, which includes having patience, concentration, and modesty. It is easy to get distracted while other people (not just women or a relationship partner) are talking. Modesty is also important because it allows others to take the floor in a discussion, which gets back to the author’s original assertion that a man’s ego often gets in the way of productive communication between relationship partners. Men are also advised to focus on nonverbal forms of communication, including body language indicative of negative emotions. Men, on the advice of the columnist, must overcome their natural insensitivity to serve as a true emotional partner.