ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS Consider this scenario: Instead of the Green Dam Escort project, the Chinese government hires a huge international Namibian-based company to develop its compulsory internet browser program. The project is top-secret, and even the programmers aren't sure what it'll be used for. Meanwhile, you're working for Microsoft Inc. on a top-secret project in which code is divided into teams working on modules, and team members are kept in the dark regarding the whole application's functionality and purpose. You have a feeling it's a military effort, but you're not certain. Consider the possibilities below. Question 1: Virtue Theory You're concerned that the software module you're developing could be utilized by the government (or military) to track citizen internet usage. Such government invasion of privacy runs counter to your ideals and ethics, but it's just a hunch thus far. You tried to bring up this topic with your boss in an oblique way but were told that it was not your job nor your concern to consider the big picture—"just keep doing your work well as you have been, and don't worry about it." You want to retain your good connection with your boss because you've heard through others that if he doesn't like you, he can be a difficult guy to work for. Then you hear on Public Radio about a news leak that describes China's Cyber-Sensor software mandate. The goals of regulating and monitoring citizen internet use are mentioned, but there are few details, and the news leak does not specify which software company is involved. You understand the project you're working on is maybe the one referenced. There are two reasons for you to be concerned about this software project right now. You start to wonder why a few of your coworkers were recently fired—was it because they started asking questions? You have a family to support and fantastic options for shares in the company that you would lose if you were fired. Using the virtue theory: a. What would you do? b. What are your options? c. What are the pros and cons of the various options at your disposal? d. What informal criteria or principles do you use when weighing the pros and cons like this?
ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS
Consider this scenario: Instead of the Green Dam Escort project, the Chinese government hires a huge
international Namibian-based company to develop its compulsory internet browser program. The project
is top-secret, and even the programmers aren't sure what it'll be used for. Meanwhile, you're working for
Microsoft Inc. on a top-secret project in which code is divided into teams working on modules, and team
members are kept in the dark regarding the whole application's functionality and purpose. You have a
feeling it's a military effort, but you're not certain. Consider the possibilities below.
Question 1: Virtue Theory
You're concerned that the software module you're developing could be utilized by the government (or
military) to track citizen internet usage. Such government invasion of privacy runs counter to your ideals
and ethics, but it's just a hunch thus far. You tried to bring up this topic with your boss in an oblique way
but were told that it was not your job nor your concern to consider the big picture—"just keep doing your
work well as you have been, and don't worry about it." You want to retain your good connection with
your boss because you've heard through others that if he doesn't like you, he can be a difficult guy to work
for.
Then you hear on Public Radio about a news leak that describes China's Cyber-Sensor software mandate.
The goals of regulating and monitoring citizen internet use are mentioned, but there are few details, and
the news leak does not specify which software company is involved. You understand the project you're
working on is maybe the one referenced. There are two reasons for you to be concerned about this
software project right now. You start to wonder why a few of your coworkers were recently fired—was it
because they started asking questions? You have a family to support and fantastic options for shares in
the company that you would lose if you were fired.
Using the virtue theory:
a. What would you do?
b. What are your options?
c. What are the pros and cons of the various options at your disposal?
d. What informal criteria or principles do you use when weighing the pros and cons like this?
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