Ethical Dilemma: Edward Snowden's Actions and Whistle-blowing
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Added on 2023/01/12
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This case study explores the values in conflict in Edward Snowden's actions, the harm caused, and the benefits of his actions. It discusses the ethical justification of Snowden's actions, weighing the competing values involved. It also considers the circumstances where whistle-blowing would be ethically ideal or prohibited.
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Table of Contents 1. What values are in conflict in this case? What harm did Snowden cause? What benefits did his actions bring?.........................................................................................................................3 2. Do you agree that Snowden's actions were ethically justified even if legally prohibited? Why or why not? Make an argument by weighting the competing values in this case?.............3 3. If you were in Snowden's position, what would you have done and why?.............................3 4. Would you change your position if you knew that Snowden's leak would leads to a loss of life among CIA operatives? What about if it would save lives?..................................................4 5. Is there a circumstances in which you think whistle-blowing would be ethically ideal? How about ethically prohibited?...........................................................................................................4
1. What values are in conflict in this case? What harm did Snowden cause? What benefits did his actions bring? Values refers to the belief based on which an individual function, accumulate their life experience and leads a stable life. Within this case study Instrumental values have been applied as Snowden being whistle-blower has reflected personality traits like being brutally honest, ethical and honest (Tsalikis and Fritzsche, 2013). As Edward Snowden releases secret document to the press which exposed the actions powerful people and made the news goes viral. These actions caused harmed to national secret as it affected the secret data of country which is probably not safe for Ameruicans. Even Snowden may have to face replications as government claims that his actions have violated the 1917 Espionage act. On contrary, the behaviour of Edward Snowden benefited the public by gaining vital information. Thus, even after knowing negative circumstances he exposed confidential information for the welfare of society. 2. Do you agree that Snowden's actions were ethically justified even if legally prohibited? Why or why not? Make an argument by weighting the competing values in this case? No, according to me the actions of Snowden were not ethically justified as he became valuable mediator to bring out reality amongst people. Although being former CIA system administrator he is not liable to expose the confidential information but he transmitted desirable information to public which made him to become whistle-blower (Crane and et. al., 2019). But prohibition of law acts as a threat for whole nation and illegal group or terrorist can access the information. Such courageous actions leads to competing values which strive to bring flexibility maintaining transparency fro public but prohibited the laws of economy. 3. If you were in Snowden's position, what would you have done and why? If I were at Snowden's position then even I would too have transmitted the essential information but through legal channels so that the national security does not gets affected. As whistle blower is a significant practice that helps to reduce the chances of any misleading performance. This determine the actions of Edward were desirable enough but needs to be more cautious as transmitting of information in press conference can affect the national secrets of country (DesJardins and McCall, 2014).
4. Would you change your position if you knew that Snowden's leak would leads to a loss of life among CIA operatives? What about if it would save lives? Leak of essential information is not only advantageous for internal public but also external enemies can seek out vital information and affect the lives of people. This determine that Snowden has right intention but his actions can cause negative impact. To deals with such case I would prefer to gain the positions of generalist so that I transmitted essential information only through legal channel. This automatically helps the citizen of country to gain information and does not disclose national secrets (Pearson, 2017). 5. Is there a circumstances in which you think whistle-blowing would be ethically ideal? How about ethically prohibited? Yes, according to me Whistle-blowing is considered as a ethically ideal practice which needs to function effectively in other to handled various misleading situation like fraud, corruption, showcase misleading data, deceiving employees and so on. This helps to secure the interest of both employer as well as employee in terms to carry out their actions effectively. Similarly, the whistle blower needs to know about consequences of such act like Snowden took desirable action but needs to be implemented effectively. As leakage of sensitive secret can causethreatandleadtosecurityissue(StanwickandStanwick,2013).Thus,itisthe responsibility of manager or superior to inform the legalway to blow whistle and take significant actions effectively.
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REFERENCES Books and Journal Tsalikis, J. and Fritzsche, D. J., 2013. Business ethics: A literature review with a focus on marketing ethics. InCitation Classics from the Journal of Business Ethics(pp. 337- 404). Springer, Dordrecht. Crane, A. and et. al., 2019.Business ethics: Managing corporate citizenship and sustainability in the age of globalization. Oxford University Press, USA. DesJardins, J. R. and McCall, J. J., 2014.Contemporary issues in business ethics. Cengage Learning. Pearson, R., 2017. Business ethics as communication ethics: Public relations practice and the idea of dialogue. InPublic relations theory(pp. 111-131). Routledge. Stanwick, P. and Stanwick, S. D., 2013.Understanding business ethics. Sage.