A gift of fire : social, legal, and ethical issues for computing technology / Sara Baase ; international edition contributions by Atriya Sen.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. Unwrapping the gift -- 2. Privacy -- 3. Freedom of speech -- 4. Intellectual property -- 5. Crime -- 6. Work -- 7. Evaluating and controlling technology -- 8. Errors, failures, and risk -- 9. Professional ethics and responsibilities.

This timely revision will feature the latest Internet issues and provide an updated comprehensive look at social and ethical issues in computing from a computer science perspective. $b A Gift of Fire: Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues for Computing and the Internet, 4e is ideal for courses in Computer Ethics and Computers and Society. Sara Baase explores the social, legal, philosophical, ethical, political, constitutional, and economic implications of computing and the controversies they raise. With a computer scientist's perspective, and with historical context for many issues, she covers the issues students will face both as members of a technological society and as professionals in computer-related fields. A primary goal is to develop computer professionals who understand the implications of what they create and how it fits into society at large.

This book has two intended audiences: students preparing for careers in computer science (and related fields) and students in other fields who want to learn about issues that arise from computing technology, the Internet, and other aspects of cyberspace. The book has no technical prerequisites. Instructors can use it at various levels, in both introductory and advanced courses about computing or technology.