Abstract:
This documentary research has the objectives to study the history, meaning,
and kinds of hackers, including the way they work, and to critically study the ethical
principles underlying their activities. The results of the study shows that hackers first
developed around 1945-1960 from those in MIT whose work was to develop software
and solve problems related to computers. In addition, from 1990 on, a new breed of
hackers has roamed the cyberworld. However, both generations of hackers share a
strong enthusiasm for the pursuit of knowledge concerning the way the computer
functions. They are usually educated in both formal and informal systems, and learned
in both theory and practice. Moreover, they have a tradition of sharing knowledge and
experience among their kind. Nevertheless, a variety of ways in which they engage in
the cognitive pursuit involves them in activities ranging from morally suspicious to
illegal. Their attempt to justify their acts eventually gives rise to hacker ethics.
The hacker ethics can be classified, according to the hacker’s generation, into
the old and the new hacker ethics. The comparative analysis shows that the old hacker
ethics comprises more right claims than imperatives whereas the new hacker ethics
dictates more duties and contains fewer rights. However, close consideration indicates
that the pursuit of knowledge and creativity is the absolute goal of both old and new
hackers. Despite their reasonable goal, the means they employ are not only morally
questionable, but can actually cause damage to the public. This is true even when it is
apparent that authentic hackers are limited to those committed to the hacker ethics,
which already bars them from the infringement on individuals’ rights.
Hackers dictate sharing as one of their duties because they believe it facilitates
learning and creativity, their ultimate value. This sounds reasonable. Therefore, the
suggestion is that further study should be conducted about the sharing in the context of
today’s globalization and liberalism.