My introduction into Information Technology Ethics has been eye opening to say the least. Intrinsic interpretation is developed through experience and shared norms; the concept of objective evaluation of an individual’s personal opinion seems counter intuitive to this notion. The ethical frameworks explored thus far seek to address this conundrum while providing a platform to impartially assess the issue at hand. Cybertechnology has presented unprecedented challenges to the world of ethics, many of which implicate cross-culturally sensitive moral dilemmas. I have been fascinated by the sheer complexity that can be uncovered when an unbiased yet educated theoretical approach toward evaluation occurs.
The current hot topic issue of digital file sharing is a prime example of what can appears to be a superficial concern and have a finite answer which either agrees or disagrees with the issue at hand. When exploring this topic through the perspective of differing ethical theory we see that this finite answer is all in perspective. Herman Tavani provides a thorough introduction into these theories within chapter 2 of “Ethics and Technology.” A utilitarian view would suggest that digital file sharing is wrong because the act is akin to stealing and the majority of society as a whole views stealing as wrong for the good of the people. A deontologist who views digital file sharing as stealing would suggest that it is our duty to each other to not take another’s possessions. A social contract theorist would refer to the laws or other explicit moral contracts that society has collectively decided upon in regarding to stealing. Value ethics perspective would assume that the consideration of stealing would be absent as moral character development would imparted stealing as an act that is wrong. While each of these theoretical views provides a basis as to why or how a conclusion was derived, they neglect to address the greater question. Is the assumption they make legitimate? Is digital file sharing truly akin to stealing?
What I was most intrigued by during this educational experience was the discovery that the foundation of my own personal assumptions may be wrought with error. The above assumption that digital file sharing in the form of music downloading is identical to the act of stealing a tangible product from a retail store is based on interpretation, rooted in personal experience and intrinsic moral values. I will admit that personally the act of online music downloading did not initially strike me as an illegal activity a decade ago. I had recorded music onto cassette tape from the radio for years. The thought of intellectual property theft never crossed my mind. In the US we refer to laws that have been created to pertain to tangible goods such as first-use provisions and copyright. However, the virtual realm of cybertechnology introduces disorder to rules and regulations that historically have maintained integrity and rights of intellectual property. It is evident that globally associated cybertechnology cannot be policed by laws of one nation alone.
How do we challenge internationally systemic issues that threaten the integrity of arguably one of the most innovative forms of communication established while maintaining cultural sensitivity? More importantly, is it realistic to think that we can reasonably rein in this unregulated beast?
Works Cited
Tavani, H. T. (2011). Ethics and Technology - Controversies, Questions, and Strategies for Ethical Computing. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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