5. Recently in 2015 it has been a joint decision by Google, Facebook and Twitter that any accounts
and or messages with a content that contains racist and /or homophobic comments, or that motivates
towards the committing of violent and unlawful acts will be automatically erased without any prior
notification or the consent of the account owner(s), whoever they are. Why is this act an ethically
excellent decision? Utilise ethical theory taught in this module and its key concepts to analyse aiming
to effectively defend Google/Facebook/Twitter’s decisions. You may include critiques e.g. that it
may restrict to some degree individual user autonomy and the liberties of the users of the web
globally, to maintain balance in your analysis.
Notes / Tips and feed forward how to strengthen your essay planning:
? Utilise ethical theory taught in this module and its key concepts to analyse aiming to
effectively defend Google/Facebook/Twitter’s decisions. In my view appropriate theories are
Aristotelian virtue ethics, or Kant, or Rights theory. But also libertarian and freedom
normative ethics may be used.
o In this latter case that you choose to rely on libertarian and freedom and welfare
theories (lectures 1-3) you may need to pay extra attention in critiquing the
limitations of these theories as they would support a pro-liberty argument, while the
essay asks you to argue for the restriction of liberties of the users for the broader
common good.
o If you use RIGHTS theory it should be used rather critically, to explain how often
proponents of this theory may need to make sure its use is not for violating the notion
of one sided support of own rights, stepping over/violating the rights of other fellow
citizens and the global community (the broader common good), or potentially
neglecting the notion of broader duties and responsibilities we bear for each other and
in our roles as citizens of a prosperous polis where everyone is entitled the space to
flourish and be happy.
o A really good theory for this topic is therefore the virtue theory of Aristotle. If you
apply virtue theory make sure you first present briefly its main concepts e.g. the
notion of the aim/goal of happiness (Eudaimonia) and the common good that is not
the utilitarian common good but the good of every one and all which requires a
shared co-responsibility ethic. In Aristotle refer to the common good, the common
good of the firm, the notion of virtuous human beings and the responsibility of
everyone to engage in habits that enable a virtuous life for the self and the broader
community. Which would be key virtues in this case that may justify the restriction of
users’ rights to any sort of use of internet communication? Et cetera.
o The reliance on Kantian theory does not need further notes as its application is
straightforward.
? Consider the weaknesses/disadvantages of the theories and the arguments which you are
using. Be critical of theory and avoid one sided arguments.
? Argue from different angles/standpoints, even if you do not agree with them but the focus
here is to defend the actions of these web firms and their acting towards responding to the
ethical challenges of their businesses for the broader stakeholder community.
? Undertake an objective analysis of this topic utilising theory, examples to illustrate and your
own personal viewpoints and reflections based on your experiences.
Refer the notion of individual flourishing and broader prosperity and the happiness and well-being of
all stakeholders involved in this case (try to identify broader stakeholder groups whose well-being
requires guardianship and protection as much as users’ rights to do independently what they want with
their use of internet. Refer to vulnerable and less voluntary stakeholders and the duties of Google,
facebook et cetera to protect these). Who else beyond these firms would bear responsibility to protect
and guard the well-being of various stakeholders involved. Which should be the strictest standards of
protection for all stakeholders and which the most relaxed? Would a middle way of going about
deciding standards of protection be a good way to deal with the ethical aspects of this case? In such
case would this require increased individual user and shared responsibility and virtue by all of us who
partake in the current web connected global community of users? What could users do to encourage
ethical behaviour by other users? Any personal examples?
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