Exploring ethical theories of privacy
Nerissa Jack
BUSI 303
Mr. A. Andall Question 1
Technological advancements have made computer systems highly important to businesses. The main purpose of computer systems in work places is to increase efficiency but furthermore to store valuable job related information. When many individuals think of monitoring computer systems at the workplace the first thing they tend to ask themselves is “What am I doing wrong?” or many persons may even think of it as spying and an invasion of their privacy. On the other hand supporters of workplace monitoring will view it as a form of protection and “extra security” in safeguarding company’s assets. Additionally, “companies claim they are forced to implement …show more content…
This will be assessed in the preceding paragraph using the utilitarian and the Kantian’s perspective.
Privacy is now evolving into a big issue when it comes to employers becoming more vigilant in monitoring employees and employees demanding privacy on the basis of “it’s their rights.” Privacy tends to be a difficult term to be defined since everyone may view and interpret privacy uniquely. W.A. Parent gives somewhat the most accurate definition of privacy which is “The condition of not having undocumented personal knowledge about one possessed by others.” (Boatright, 2007, pp. 152-153) “Utilitarianism focuses on the consequences that actions of policies have on the well-being ("utility") of all persons directly or indirectly affected by the action or policy. The principle states: "Of any two actions, the most ethical one will produce the greatest balance of benefits over harms, an increase in the total happiness of the affected parties.” (The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, 2014). One of the utilitarian claims for the monitoring of computer systems in businesses is that job satisfaction can be significantly affected due to a lack of privacy of …show more content…
He highly approved privacy in the work place based on notions of respect and autonomy. He strongly believes that privacy is a meaningful and valuable concept. Kant supports privacy in the work place on the basis that employees and alternately employers should have their share base of privacy which is then seen as a form of respect. Furthermore, Kant believes that people’s actions are guided by moral laws and these laws are universal. He stood firmly on the thought that one should treat others like they want to be treated. Therefore, if you would like to have privacy in the work place then you should also give others in the workplace their privacy; this is where respect comes in. On a wider basis virtue ethicists such as Hyman Gross believes that if employees’ privacy are violated unknowingly through surveillance cameras that may be in the work place and inaccurate perceptions is developed then that individual has no opportunity to correct in inaccurate perception. (Boatright, 2007). Another virtue ethicist, Charles Fried argues that “privacy is valuable since it provides “rational context”, context for humans significant ends such as love, friendship, trust and respect as Kant argued therefore an invasion of privacy will lead to destroying the integrity of persons.” (Boatright, 2007) Hence, if employers decides to invade an employee’s privacy by which ever means as discussed above, virtue ethicists believe that the
Nerissa Jack
BUSI 303
Mr. A. Andall Question 1
Technological advancements have made computer systems highly important to businesses. The main purpose of computer systems in work places is to increase efficiency but furthermore to store valuable job related information. When many individuals think of monitoring computer systems at the workplace the first thing they tend to ask themselves is “What am I doing wrong?” or many persons may even think of it as spying and an invasion of their privacy. On the other hand supporters of workplace monitoring will view it as a form of protection and “extra security” in safeguarding company’s assets. Additionally, “companies claim they are forced to implement …show more content…
This will be assessed in the preceding paragraph using the utilitarian and the Kantian’s perspective.
Privacy is now evolving into a big issue when it comes to employers becoming more vigilant in monitoring employees and employees demanding privacy on the basis of “it’s their rights.” Privacy tends to be a difficult term to be defined since everyone may view and interpret privacy uniquely. W.A. Parent gives somewhat the most accurate definition of privacy which is “The condition of not having undocumented personal knowledge about one possessed by others.” (Boatright, 2007, pp. 152-153) “Utilitarianism focuses on the consequences that actions of policies have on the well-being ("utility") of all persons directly or indirectly affected by the action or policy. The principle states: "Of any two actions, the most ethical one will produce the greatest balance of benefits over harms, an increase in the total happiness of the affected parties.” (The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, 2014). One of the utilitarian claims for the monitoring of computer systems in businesses is that job satisfaction can be significantly affected due to a lack of privacy of …show more content…
He highly approved privacy in the work place based on notions of respect and autonomy. He strongly believes that privacy is a meaningful and valuable concept. Kant supports privacy in the work place on the basis that employees and alternately employers should have their share base of privacy which is then seen as a form of respect. Furthermore, Kant believes that people’s actions are guided by moral laws and these laws are universal. He stood firmly on the thought that one should treat others like they want to be treated. Therefore, if you would like to have privacy in the work place then you should also give others in the workplace their privacy; this is where respect comes in. On a wider basis virtue ethicists such as Hyman Gross believes that if employees’ privacy are violated unknowingly through surveillance cameras that may be in the work place and inaccurate perceptions is developed then that individual has no opportunity to correct in inaccurate perception. (Boatright, 2007). Another virtue ethicist, Charles Fried argues that “privacy is valuable since it provides “rational context”, context for humans significant ends such as love, friendship, trust and respect as Kant argued therefore an invasion of privacy will lead to destroying the integrity of persons.” (Boatright, 2007) Hence, if employers decides to invade an employee’s privacy by which ever means as discussed above, virtue ethicists believe that the