PHI-200 Ethics and Society
Discussion Board Post – The Ethics of Technology and Privacy
Discussion Overview
Digital technology continues to influence how people interact, work, and make decisions. Ethical questions arise when personal data is collected, shared, and used without explicit consent. The discussion focuses on whether technological advancement justifies the ethical compromises made in privacy and data protection. Students are expected to demonstrate their understanding of ethical reasoning by applying major moral theories to this contemporary issue.
Discussion Instructions
- Initial Post: Write 300–350 words analyzing a specific ethical issue related to technology and privacy. Examples include facial recognition, social media data use, or online surveillance.
- Theoretical Application: Apply both utilitarian and deontological reasoning to the issue. Explain how each theory would evaluate the moral acceptability of the situation.
- Personal Evaluation: Conclude your post by sharing which theory you believe offers the most ethical guidance and why. Support your view with scholarly evidence or examples.
- Response Posts: Reply to at least two peers with thoughtful, evidence-based comments of 100–150 words each. Engage respectfully with differing perspectives and add depth to the discussion.
- Formatting: Use APA 7th edition for citations and references. Include at least two academic or peer-reviewed sources in your initial post.
- Submission: Post your initial discussion by Thursday and responses by Sunday of Week 5.
Assessment Criteria / Discussion Rubric
| Criteria | Exemplary (100–90%) | Proficient (89–80%) | Developing (79–70%) | Not Evident (<70%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethical Understanding (30%) | Demonstrates a clear and accurate understanding of ethical principles and their relevance to technology and privacy. | Explains ethical principles accurately with minor omissions or limited clarity. | Shows partial or inconsistent understanding of ethical theories. | Fails to apply ethical principles correctly. |
| Application of Theories (25%) | Applies utilitarian and deontological reasoning effectively to analyze the ethical issue with depth and clarity. | Applies both theories appropriately but with limited detail or accuracy. | Applies one theory or provides minimal explanation of both. | No meaningful application of moral theories. |
| Critical Thinking and Personal Evaluation (20%) | Develops a thoughtful personal stance supported by reasoning and credible evidence. | Provides a personal position but with limited reasoning or support. | Offers a vague or unsupported opinion. | No clear personal evaluation provided. |
| Engagement and Peer Interaction (15%) | Engages actively with peers, building on ideas and demonstrating respect and depth in responses. | Responds constructively to peers but lacks analytical depth. | Responds briefly or superficially. | No responses or minimal engagement. |
| Writing Quality and APA Formatting (10%) | Writing is clear, organized, and free of major errors; APA citations and references are correct. | Minor writing or APA errors that do not interfere with readability. | Frequent writing errors or incorrect citation style. | Significant writing or citation issues that hinder understanding. |
Many social media platforms collect user data to enhance engagement and advertising efficiency. A utilitarian might justify this practice if it benefits the majority by improving user experience or supporting business growth. In contrast, a deontologist would argue that using personal data without informed consent violates moral duty and individual autonomy, regardless of potential benefits. The ongoing debate reflects how ethical reasoning continues to shape digital policy and public trust in technology.
References (APA 7th Edition)
- Floridi, L. (2019). The logic of information: A theory of philosophy as conceptual design. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198833635.001.0001
- Moor, J. H. (2020). Why we need better ethics for emerging technologies. Ethics and Information Technology, 22(4), 275–286. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10676-020-09556-0
- Tavani, H. T. (2021). Ethics and technology: Controversies, questions, and strategies for ethical computing (5th ed.). Wiley.
- Véliz, C. (2020). Privacy is power: Why and how you should take back control of your data. Bantam Press.