ES1.2 Why be ethical?

Many students come to computer science with a hacker mentality; that is, they view the computer as a personal intellectual challenge, a test of their ability to solve logical problems and to control the computer. Such a narrow approach to computing emphasizes the relation between a solitary programmer and the computer. It implicitly denies any ethical responsibility or social obligation in the practice of computing skills. It is important to help students to become aware of the tremendous responsibility to other people that comes with the practice of their expertise. It is necessary to make a strong case for ethical behavior in the context of professional practice. Analogies with medicine, law, and engineering help students to understand the importance of ethical behavior.