The Moral Character of Cryptographic Work
đź“ś Abstract
This essay, written for the Asiacrypt 2015 Conference, addresses the moral and ethical aspects of cryptography. While the subject of cryptography is typically regarded as a purely technical endeavor, this paper argues that it is imbued with moral and ethical considerations. Specifically, the way that cryptography is researched, developed, and deployed has profound implications for society. In making this argument, the paper brings together personal observations, historical context, and philosophical insights. The goal is to provoke thought and discussion about the societal impact of cryptographic work and to call for a heightened sense of responsibility among cryptographers.
✨ Summary
Phillip Rogaway’s paper, “The Moral Character of Cryptographic Work,” addresses the ethical implications of the cryptography field. Presented at the Asiacrypt 2015 Conference, this essay argues that while cryptography is often viewed as a purely technical discipline, it is inherently linked to moral and ethical considerations. Rogaway explores how cryptographic developments and implementations impact society, emphasizing the responsibility of cryptographers. The paper discusses historical contexts, philosophical viewpoints, and personal experiences to underscore its thesis.
The document has not significantly influenced subsequent academic research in terms of citations but has sparked discussions about ethical considerations in cryptography. The academic community and industry professionals continue to debate the societal impacts of cryptographic technologies, and this paper has contributed to those discussions around privacy, surveillance, and responsibility.
The paper was presented at Asiacrypt 2015, a conference which has been influential in the cryptographic community. There appears to be no direct citations or influences from other academic papers, indicating that it served more as a philosophical and ethical discourse rather than a foundational or technical study.
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