1.1 Case analysis module: hughes aircraft

Computer Ethics

Case Module Template

By William J. Frey

Module Introduction:

The Hughes case is what Huff and Frey call a thick, historical, evaluative, big news and bad news case. One particularly noteworthy fact about it is the way in which it combines technical issues (the manufacture and testing of integrated circuits) with ethical issues (when is it morally appropriate to blow the whistle and how does one carry this out). Sifting through the case details, documents, and conflicting participant perspectives will both challenge you and hone your skills in moral imagination. Below are frameworks to help you structure the case's ethical and social problems. You will also be provided with decision points that will force you to enter the case as a participant and practice decision-making in the real world. While the timeline presented below changes the names of the key participants, the conclusion of the legal proceedings surrounding this case make it possible for you to learn the real identities of participants in class. This module contains materials to introduce the case. For a complete analysis, you will need to consult www.computingcases.org. These materials were all developed through NSF projects DUE-9972280 and DUE 9980768.

The module presents the case abstract and timeline. It then refers you to computingcases.org where you can find the case narrative, history, and supporting documentsthat provide background information necessary for analysis. The case abstract and timeline introduce the basic outlinesof the case. The accompanying decision point taken from the case provides you with the necessary focus to carry out an in-depthanalysis from the standpoint of one of the case's participants. Your job is to respond to the decision-point by working through the four stages: problem specification, solution generation,solution testing, and solution implementation.