Giannis Stamatellos: Computer ethics—A global perspective

Abstract

In part, and because of the many scandalous business practices of the 1990s and early twenty-first century (e.g., Enron, WorldCom, Tyco Int’l., and Halliburton), applied ethics in general, and business and computer ethics in particular has gained a greater social awareness. Addressing this awareness is Computer Ethics: A Global Perspective by Giannis Stamatellos. The author asserts that the aim of the book is: ‘‘(1) to provide a short introduction to computer ethics; (2) to engage students and non-expert in a philosophical enquiry on the social impact of computers in the information society; and (3) to discuss the ethical issues that emerge from widespread use of information technology at the local and global level’’ (p. IX). The preface also explains that the book aims to ‘‘offer a compact guide to the ethical and social issues discussed in an undergraduate course, and to serve as a source of for the students in that course’’ (p. X). To his credit, given the breadth and depth of computer ethics, Stamatellos not only addresses the vast ethical issues, but also many of the social impacts in a mere 140 pages. Stamatellos structures the book into four sections. In the first chapter he very briefly introduces the reader to what computer ethics is, its short history, and its philosophical foundations. The remainder of the book is laid out into Part A (Ethical Issues) which comprises Chaps. 2–5, and Part B (Social Impact) which comprises Chaps. 6–11. The last section of the book includes Appendices A–D; these are the codes of ethics from four main IS/IT associations. The initial impression that one may get from an inspection of the Table of