Normative Ethics and Intellectual Property: Should Cyber Ethics Education be Based on Utilitarian or Deontological Foundations?

 

Normative Ethics and Intellectual Property: Should Cyber Ethics Education be Based on Utilitarian or Deontological Foundations?

Shana S. Ard
ITM 434

Trident University International


Dr. Mgbeke
22 Nov 2012
	Despite the internet being highly beneficial in increasing the rate of communication and enabling businesses to grow through online marketing and order processing systems, it can also be harmful if abused.  Using internet, criminals have been able to hack into confidential government and other individual system and vandalize or steal information. These acts are referred to as cyber-crime and in the recent years, the issue of cyber-crime has taken the center stage in most debates in the technology advanced world. Cyber-crime starts through ordinary acts such as students bullying others through the net, downloading a song or copying a program illegally. As a result, there has been a need to teach cyber ethics education in schools, as students need to know the acts and legal consequences.
	However, the crucial question arising is whether the cyber ethics education should be taught based on utilitarianism, or deontological foundations. This paper analyzes the issue of cyber-crime and seeks to determine whether cyber ethics education should be based on utilitarian or deontological foundations.
	While cyber ethical education is indeed a must in today’s society, and there is a need to follow the 10 Commandments governing cyber ethics, it is necessary to understand and imbibe that ethics should be for the common expedient of society and not necessary for individuals or groups (Mintz, 2011). When viewed from this perspective, it is reasonable to surmise that cyber ethics education must have the essential characteristic of serving common good, whose results must justify its means. Again it must be said that violations of cyber space by individuals and even country governments in terms of stealing intellectual properties of the US are critical aspects that need to be immediately looked into and remedial actions taken.

	This takes propositions that are even more serious, when we consider that more than $1 trillion has been stolen in this manner. It amounts to an immense wealth transfer during a time of economic hardships, when the US cannot afford to lose so many lucrative revenue sources. When viewed from this angle, the deontological elements or the sense of duty and responsibility along with rights also surfaces.
	The utilitarianism principle of ethics states that the right action is the one, which produces most good or happiness for most people, irrespective of the means. The principal is also expressed by the phrase, “the end justifies the means” as the process of attaining the common good does not matter, but what is essential is the happiness of many (Smith & Dubbink, 2011).. This theory considers the worthiness of others as well as the good of self.  Teaching cyber ethics using the utilitarian principal is of paramount importance as it teaches the student that the right thing should make most people pleased.
	Deontological foundation of ethics is also known by another term as “Duty ethics”. The word deontology is derived from a Greek word ‘Deon’, which means an obligation or a duty (Smith & Dubbink, 2011).. According to this ethics theory, the right action is that which is conducted as a way of following rules of fulfilling one’s duties. This calls for individuals using the internet to act ethically towards others based on the conviction of their duty to act or to behave ethically towards others, or their duty to follow the rules laid down by country or the necessary authorities concerning the safe use of the internet.


	According to the computer ethics institute, there are a number of rules or guidelines, which can be followed to ensure that students understand cyber ethics. The first rule states that individuals should not use the computer to harm other people. This rule follows the foundation of deontological, or duty ethics, where one has the responsibility of using the internet and computer in a manner that does not harm other people. According to these rules, individual has a responsibility to ensure that they do not violate copyright laws by posting original materials of others online to benefit themselves (Mintz, 2011). The application of utilitarianism or deontological ethics in teaching cyber ethics to students is highly based on the level of online activities. Students should be taught on the way to use the internet in a responsible manner that is not disrespectful to others and which ensures the preservation of the rights of others as relating to intellectual property.
	Cyber-crime activities are not only directed toward individuals, but can be directed to a nation with the aim of destroying the economy. This calls for more protections and laying down of guidelines and rules to be followed to ensure that this is prevented. According to Clark (2011), the pentagon has b