Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
ACT UTILITARIAN ANALYSIS
We need to determine the positive and negative consequences of Kate's action on the two
people involved. Kate increased the popularity of her blog, which is precisely the positive
outcome she wanted
. Jerry's anger at Kate shows that he was hurt and upset by
what she did, but after he confronted her, she removed the photo from her Web site
and they reconciled. Therefore, while the intensity of this negative consequence to Jerry
was significant, its duration was brief
(
+
10
)
. As a result of the posting, Jerry became more
popular on campus, a very good thing for someone active in campus politics
(
−
5
)
.Jerry
had Kate to thank for this boost in his popularity, further quenching the unhappiness he
initially felt when he learned what she had done
(
+
10
)
. We conclude that the short-term
consequences for both Kate and Jerry were positive (totaling
(
+
2
)
17).
The long-term consequences are difficult to determine. It is possible that the photo
could land in the wrong hands and be used to discredit Jerry someday in the future
(
−
+
, but this would depend on many factors. Jerry is currently politically active. Is he
going to stay active in Whig politics after he graduates from college
100
)
(
50%
)
? The photo
was only on the Web for a day. Did anyone download it
? If so, what is the chance
that someday the photo will fall into the hands of someone who wants to make Jerry
look bad
(
20%
)
(
)
?
An important part of a utilitarian analysis is looking at the certainty of each conse-
quence: in other words, the probability that it will happen. The short-term consequences
of Kate's action are certainly positive for both Kate and Jerry
10%
(
+
17
×
100%
=+
17
)
.The
long-term negative consequences, if any, are not certain at all
(
−
100
×
50%
×
20%
×
10%
=−
1
)
. Adding the calculated short-term benefits (
+
17) to the calculated long-term
harms (
−
1) yields a total benefit of 16, and we conclude her action had a good outcome.
RULE UTILITARIAN ANALYSIS
Let's consider what would happen if everyone were constantly taking photos of everyone
they bumped into and posting them on the Web. There would be some positive conse-
quences. It would be easier for people to see what their friends were up to. People might
be more reluctant to engage in illegal activities if they thought photo or video evidence
might appear on the Web. There would also be a variety of negative consequences. Once
people started to feel as if they were always being photographed, they would become self-
conscious, making it more difficult for them to simply be themselves. People would be
less free to take off their public persona and express their true feelings. Inevitably people
would post photos that caused hard feelings and led to strained relationships. Ultimately
the negative consequences seem to be more weighty than the positive consequences, and
we conclude Kate's action was wrong.
VIRTUE ETHICS ANALYSIS
Kate and Jerry are friends. Aristotle recognized that people are social beings and that
friendship plays an important role in
eudaimonia
, or human flourishing. True friends
trust each other and seek each other's good. Reciprocity and an equality of interest are
fundamental elements of friendship. There was no reciprocity when Kate sneakily took
Jerry's photo without his knowledge; she exploited him by taking something from him
without giving him anything in return. She did not act as a friend when she put her
