LAS 432 Midterm ExamNovember 2014

Write essays of about one page (300 words) to each of the following
questions. Each question is based on an assigned chapter from our
textbook. Write the response in your own words. You may use short
quotes of a sentence or less from the textbook to support your ideas,
and you may also refer to the videos we watched in class, but dont
use any external sites.
Chapter 1
In class we watched United States of Secrets, which detailed the NSAs
controversial domestic spying program, as well as Edward Snowdens
decision to reveal classified information proving the program exists. In
chapter 1 of our textbook, the philosophical theories of Kant, Mill,
Locke, and others were discussed at length.
Discuss the ethics of the program and Edward Snowdens actions,
applying one or more of the following theoretical frameworks: Kants
categorical imperative, Mills utilitarianism or libertarianism, or Lockes
natural rights.

Edward chose to leak this information despite great personal

risk, including the death penalty, because in his opinion it
was his duty to share this information with his fellow
Americans because the government was spying on the public
and gathering vast detailed knowledge about every person in
the US.
Kantian Deontology
According to Immanuel Kant the ultimate right and wrong is
what is dutiful and the reasons for why it is done. For
example an action can be right or wrong depending on the
reason it is done. It is not a consequentialist theory it
simply says if you do what you think is best and is your
duty to do then no matter the results as long as you did it
for the right reasons you've done the right, ethical, thing.
In Kantian Deontology maxims are used to decide if something
is ethical and applicable to society as a whole.
One of Kant's main points was to respect each person as an
end unto himself or herself and not simply as a means to an
end. Thus, another one of his tests is if it respects people
as a end and not a means. Snowden's actions show great
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respect for his fellow countrymen and are actually an action

against the government treating its citizens as means to an
end so its passes as a Categorical Imperative in this sense.
0ne of Kant's main points was to respect each person as an
end unto themselves and not simply as a means to an end.
Thus, another one of his tests is if it respects people as a
end and not a means. Snowden's actions show great respect
for his fellow countrymen and are actually an action against
the government treating its citizens as means to an end so
its passes as a Categorical Imperative in this sense.
Perfect vs. Imperfect Duty
A perfect duty is one that requires you to not do something
like lie, murder steal of cheat. An imperfect duty is one
that requires you to do something, like help other.
Snowden's maxim would be an imperfect duty because it is
requiring you to tell the public that their privacy is being
infringed. This does not conflict with any other duties.
There are not any problems with deontology in this
application other than it requires you to break the law
which could result in the death penalty in this situation
although the argument could be made that that doesn't
matter.
Strengths- It is very absolute and provides very clear
instructions how to derive what is right and wrong and puts
respect for your fellow man first.
Weaknesses- The actions done in deontology aren't genuinely
heartfelt they're done because that's "What you're supposed
to do."

Chapter 7
Baase ends chapter 7 with the following observation: When we
consider the most extreme potential developments, such as
superintelligent robots, what level of certainty of dire consequences
should we require before restricting the freedom to develop
technologies and products that might have marvelous benefits? (p.
351).
Do you believe that the potential dangers of superintelligent robots are
such that we should restrict their development? Why or why not? In
formulating your response, consider the ethical theories we have
discussed in class, including the categorical imperative, utilitarianism,
libertarianism, and natural rights.

Chapter 8
In chapter 8 Baase discusses numerous cases of technological failures
and their negative consequences. Discuss one of these examples from
chapter 8 in greater detail, such as the Therac 25, the Denver
International Airport, or the Space Shuttle Challenger. What was the
root cause of the failure? What should have been done differently?
What can we learn from this failure that we can apply to current or
future forms of technology?

Chapter 4
Respond to this scenario from the end of chapter 4: You are a teacher.
You would like your students to use a software package, but the
schools budget does not include enough money to buy copies for all
the students. Your school is in a poor neighborhood, and you know
most of the parents cannot afford to buy the software for their children.

(a) List some ways you could try to obtain the software without
making unauthorized copies.

(b) Suppose the methods you try do not work. Will you copy the
software or decide not to use it? Give some arguments for and
against your position. Explain why you think the arguments on
your side are stronger.