Question 1

Kant thought about what duties we humans have to each other. He came up with ____ that characterized these duties.

Accepted Answer

Kant came up with the concept of categorical imperatives, which are unconditional moral obligations or duties that apply to all rational beings. They are not based on subjective desires or consequences, but rather on the inherent value of human dignity and rational autonomy. Therefore, choice C is the correct answer.

Question 2

According to the Web site, Wikipedia, the "hacker ethic" makes ____ claims.

Accepted Answer

The hacker ethic makes two claims, as stated on the Wikipedia page. These claims are "that information-sharing is a powerful positive good, and that it is an ethical duty of hackers to share their expertise by writing open-source code and facilitating access to information and to computing resources wherever possible."

Question 3

____ efforts such as GNU, Linux, and Apache provide useful software for little or no money to many computer users.

Accepted Answer

The reference to GNU, Linux, and Apache, as well as the mention of "useful software for little or no money," suggest that the term being described is open source, which refers to software that is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute. The other choices (hacker, peer-to-peer, free thought) do not accurately describe this particular type of software development and distribution.

Question 4

The opponents to MP3 copying hold that in the long run there may be far less music available for copying because artists and publishers will have far less incentive to create and disseminate music.

Accepted Answer

Opponents argue that if individuals continue to copy and distribute MP3 files without proper compensation for artists and publishers, there will be less financial incentive for these individuals to create and distribute music. This could ultimately result in a decrease in the amount and quality of music available for consumers.

Question 5

Technically, ____ is still illegal to export to other countries, but it is available globally via the Internet.

Accepted Answer

PGP is still illegal to export to other countries, but it is available globally via the Internet.

Question 6

The word ____ is from the Greek and means "the science of duty."

Accepted Answer

The word "deontology" is derived from the Greek words "deon" meaning duty and "logos" meaning science or study. Therefore, deontology refers to the ethical theory that actions should be based on a sense of duty or obligation rather than on their consequences.

Question 7

The term ____ refers to someone who breaks into computer systems, launches Internet worms and viruses, or perpetrates other dubious computer-related vandalism.

Accepted Answer

The term "hacker" refers to someone who breaks into computer systems, launches Internet worms and viruses, or perpetrates other dubious computer-related vandalism.

Question 8

All music artists are naturally opposed to MP3 copying.

Accepted Answer

This statement is not necessarily true. While some music artists may be opposed to MP3 copying as it may impact their sales and revenue, others may see it as a way to increase their exposure and reach a wider audience. Additionally, there are artists who release their music under Creative Commons and encourage free copying and sharing of their work.

Question 9

In ____, the Fraunhofer Institute patented MP3 in Germany, and a few years later MP3 became an international standard.

Accepted Answer

The Fraunhofer Institute patented MP3 in Germany in 1989, and a few years later MP3 became an international standard. Therefore, option A (1989) is the correct answer.

Question 10

In a(n) ____, we move back and forth between different viewpoints, criticizing each and trying to learn from each.

Accepted Answer

The term "dialectic" refers to a method of argument or discussion in which two or more people with differing viewpoints engage in a constructive dialogue in order to gain a deeper understanding of the subject being discussed. This process involves moving back and forth between different viewpoints, criticizing them, and learning from them. The other options, such as encryption schemes (A and D) and utilitarian schemes (C), do not involve this kind of back-and-forth dialogue and critique.

Question 11

____ answer the question "Good for whom?" with a hearty, "Good for everyone!".

Accepted Answer

Utilitarians are concerned with promoting the greatest good for the greatest number of people, so they would likely answer the question of "Good for whom?" with "Good for everyone!" as it aligns with their beliefs. Deontologists would focus on whether an action is morally right or wrong regardless of its consequences, while consequentialists would consider the potential outcomes and consequences of an action. Intelligent agents do not have a specific ethical framework or beliefs.

Question 12

Apple computer's music distribution system called the iTunes Music Store allows users to download songs for a relatively small fee.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true.

Question 13

Perhaps the most famous deontologist was the German philosopher Immanuel Kant, who lived in the ____ century.

Accepted Answer

Immanuel Kant lived in the eighteenth century, specifically from 1724 to 1804.

Question 14

Some proponents of hacking believe that the consequence of hacking is improved security against malicious hackers.

Accepted Answer

Proponents of hacking argue that by hacking into systems and exposing their vulnerabilities, they are actually helping improve security by allowing companies to address and fix those vulnerabilities before malicious hackers can exploit them. This approach is known as ethical hacking or "white hat" hacking. However, there are also many who believe that hacking, regardless of intent, is illegal and unethical.

Question 15

A(n) ____ focuses more on the intent of an act and how that act either is or is not a defensible, responsible act.

Accepted Answer

Deontologists focus on the moral rules and principles underlying the act, rather than the consequences or outcomes of the act (consequentialism) or the overall good or benefit to society (utilitarianism). A deontological approach may involve considering whether the act is in line with moral principles such as honesty, fairness, or respect for autonomy. The term "hacker" does not refer to a specific ethical framework, but rather a broad category of computer experts who may or may not adhere to ethical principles.

Question 16

The ____ is an outline that can help guide you in a productive dialectic.

Accepted Answer

The paramedic method is an outline specifically designed to guide individuals in a productive dialectic. The dialectic method is a general approach to argumentation and may not provide as much guidance for individuals. Analogies and utilitarian theory are not specifically designed for dialectics.

Question 17

In 1991, a software engineer named ____ developed an encryption algorithm that he humorously called "Pretty Good Privacy," nicknamed PGP.

Accepted Answer

Phillip Zimmermann is the software engineer who developed the encryption algorithm named Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) in 1991.

Question 18

An ethical dialectic usually has a clean stopping point.

Accepted Answer

An ethical dialectic does not have a clean stopping point as ethical issues are complex and multifaceted, and there may not be a clear resolution or consensus reached even after a lengthy discussion or debate.

Question 19

A(n) ____ focuses on the consequences of an act to determine if the act is good or bad.

Accepted Answer

A consequentialist approach evaluates the morality of an action based on its outcomes and consequences. Utilitarianism is a specific type of consequentialism that seeks to maximize overall happiness or well-being for the greatest number of people. PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) is a type of encryption software and has no relevance in ethics. Dialectic refers to a method of reasoning and discussion that involves a back-and-forth exchange of arguments and ideas.

Question 20

Ethicists depend on what is called a(n) ____ to try to get better and better ethical decisions.

Accepted Answer

Ethicists depend on dialectic to try to get better and better ethical decisions. Dialectic is a method of discourse in which two or more people hold different points of view and try to find a mutual solution through reasoning and understanding. This helps ethicists to analyze and evaluate ethical issues from different perspectives and arrive at a more informed and balanced ethical decision. PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) is a communication encryption program, MP3 is a digital audio format, and deontology is a philosophical theory of ethics.

Quiz 15: Making Decisions About Computers, Information, and Society