Some people believe that you can tell who a person is by what they do when no one is looking. Let’s look at the following case. John Doe, a nurse, has downloaded an application to her phone that allows him to download copyrighted textbooks for a nursing course (that Doe is going to take) without his Internet Service Provider knowing it. The application is called “Cloak” as in cloak of invisibility (a hooded coat one wears to make it so others cannot see you). The application disguises his phone and makes it so the information on it is inaccessible. John is aware that other people who are of a lower socio-economic status (like him) also use this software program for the same reason (and to save money). John Doe knows that his religion forbids him from using this application to download in this manner. John Doe is focused on his own economic situation and does not consider the publisher, author, and others involved in the books. Think about a course of social action; what social values should be used to address this moral issue and conflict.
Create a personal ethical philosophy and explain from which philosophy or philosophies (it must include at least one of the following: virtue ethics, Kantian ethics, utilitarianism, virtue ethics, or social contract ethics) you created it and why the contents are important and meaningful for you. List its precepts.
Take your personal ethical philosophy statement and use it to work through John Doe’s case. What is moral and immoral per your theory?
How would the veil of ignorance or a different theory of justice address John Doe’s case?
My personal ethical philosophy is rooted in Kantian ethics and virtue ethics. Both of these theories revolve around doing what is moral, just, and good for the greater benefit of all. The core concept of this ethical philosophy is that one should always strive to do what will bring about the greatest benefit for everyone involved in a situation. Additionally, it holds that one should act out of integrity and with respect for themselves, other people, and nature. This means striving to adhere to a set of noble principles such as honesty, fairness, empathy, justice, responsibility, charity and honor. Finally it suggests that each person must weigh their actions against the consequences they could potentially have on those around them before making any decision or taking any course of action.
In John Doe’s case his moral obligation would be to abstain from using Cloak due to the fact that he knows it breaks copyright laws which can potentially have negative effects on authors who are not being compensated fairly or at all for their work being used without consent or proper payment. It also goes against his own religious beliefs which he has chosen to follow thus denouncing his use of Cloak even further. Furthermore he must take into account its potential effect on people who might be trapped in lower socio-economic statuses by using this software illegally rather than finding legitimate ways to purchase textbooks which are more accessible than ever before with online bookstores like Amazon Prime Student offering discounts and free shipping options so students don’t have an excuse for utilizing illegal services like Cloak anymore given today’s world we live in where technology has taken center stage.
The veil of ignorance theory suggests that if one were unaware about their social status as well as economic background then no decision regarding whether or not such activities as downloading copyrighted material illegally could ever be made since both parties wouldn’t know whether they stand toe gain or lose from whatever outcome may come forth from such actions when considering morality therefore leading us back full circle once again to Kantian ethics which stands firmly rooted upon practical reasonability coming down hard on notions pertaining towards immoral behavior simply because it doesn’t produce results favorable enough overall when looking strictly through the eyes of impartiality regardless concerning whoever is involved whatsoever within said matters deeply surrounding issues involving legality/illegality alongside rights & wrongs simultaneously while highlighting importance behind respectability & duty intertwined respectively between each individual basically conforming together towards upholding universal morality effectively leading right back up towards living out a fulfilling life by following ones conscience above all else quite naturally since there isn’t much choice apart from engaging ethically meaningfully & responsibly inside exceptionally highly relevant contexts near futurewise possibilities within humanity across entire populations globally continuously assuredly!