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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 anchored in virtue ethics, which emphasizes the development of moral character. I believe that not only should we act ethically, but also strive to become better people with each passing day. This means cultivating a set of traits within ourselves – such as kindness, fairness, honesty, integrity, and respect – and striving to practice these virtues in our relationships both professionally and personally. In addition to developing our own moral character through practicing such virtues, I believe that it is important to recognize the inherent worth of all lives: human or otherwise. We have an obligation to treat others with dignity regardless of their gender identity/expression, race/ethnicity/ culture sexual orientation/identity or disability status.
In regards to John Doe’s case; according to my personal ethical philosophy he has acted immorally by knowingly downloading copyrighted materials without compensating the publisher nor author for their work. Not only does this go against his religion but it goes against respecting the intellectual property rights of those who made the textbook available for purchase in the first place. Additionally, using Cloak creates an unequal playing field between those who can afford purchasing textbooks versus those who cannot- perpetuating social injustices further. The veil of ignorance applied here would suggest that Doe consider what would happen if everyone was doing this- essentially erasing authorship from its rightful owners just because they are able to access something without permission or cost while someone else is unable pay due their socio economic position; creating additional disparity between groups already challenged economically (i.e poorer communities).