The Ethics Evaluation Of Ubiquitous Computing

The development of information technology, network and communication technology is bringing people into a new era of computing, the pervasive computing age. Pervasive computing, known as the ubiquitous computing, integrates computing and information into the human living space, combining the human physical world and the information world in one macrocosm, in which people can gain access to either information or computation wherever they are, whenever it is. Pervasive computing stresses that the computer should be invisible, embedded in the environment or daily tools, in order that people focus their attention on the task itself. Pervasive computing replaces the traditional "People use computers" form with the integration of people and computing environment, thus achieving involuntarily the aim of "Computers serve people". It brings about fundamental change in people's thinking on information technology, as well as their entire living and working style.This paper introduces the concept and the development stages of pervasive computing, holding that pervasive computing brings not simply the innovation of technical means, but more a radical change in how we live and think. It may impel us to further explore the relations between technology and life, technology and ethics. Therefore, to evaluate pervasive computing, we should not be confined to its technical characteristics and economic benefits; instead, we should consider its influence on life and the social ethical consequences. On the basis of careful studies, this paper explores the theoretical foundation and feasibility of ethical evaluation of pervasive computing, discloses the challenges brought by pervasive computing to personal privacy, national security, social justice, people's health and the environment. Furthermore, it analyzes the value orientation and its inner contradictions embedded in the existing technical evaluation modes and methods, and suggests that it is both possible and necessary to regard constructive technology assessment as a primary method of the ethical evaluation of pervasive computing. The author proposes that in dealing with the ethical or social problems accompanying high technology such as pervasive computing, we must on the one hand strengthen the network legal system, while on the other hand enhance the moral education to the public, arouse the awareness of computer or network engineers and the public about the ethical responsibility and precaution, and improve the ethical and legal system of network and computer on the basis of profound studies.