Values in Conflict and Harms Caused by Snowden's Actions

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Table of Contents
1. What values are in conflict in this case and what harms did Snowden cause along with the
benefits his action brings.............................................................................................................3
2. Do you agree that Snowden's actions were ethically justified even if legally prohibited?
Why or why not?.........................................................................................................................4
3. If you were in Snowden’s position, what would you have done and why?...........................4
4. Would you change your position if you knew that Snowden's leak would lead to loss of life
among CIA operatives? What about if it save lives?..................................................................4
5 Is there a circumstance in which you think Whistle-blowing would ethically be ideal? How
about ethically prohibited?..........................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

1. What values are in conflict in this case and what harms did Snowden cause along with the
benefits his action brings
The values associated with this with this case are Morality Vs Legality and Individual
liberty Vs National security. This are given below:
Morality Vs Legality: Morality is mainly based on the opinion and values of an
individual, on the other hand legality emphasis on law systems well as forces of government.
Law is important in order to maintain order & minimum coordination within society. In context
to the case, Edward Snowden has legally profaned Espionage Act, 1917 whereas his actions
must be looked within his perception to serve larger public good.
Individual liberty Vs National security: Individual privacy seeks to give individual
space to people. This values mainly respects the intricate relations of an individual, personal
feeling and so on (Kenny, 2019). On contrary, National security provide protection of society
from all forms of threats & it is the responsibility of state to safeguard its boundaries, citizens,
economy and many more.
In relation to the given case, Snowden was in a dilemma as well as surveillance with the
name of national security, therefore Snowden was right in exposing government.
2. Do you agree that Snowden's actions were ethically justified even if legally prohibited? Why
or why not?
As per my view point, the actions taken by Snowden were ethically justified. Being a
public servant, he have some moral obligations towards citizens and Snowden acted out of good
faith to safeguard public interest. Snowden undertaken as a Whistle blower, in which values of
accountability and transparency is governance is assured. It is analysed that leaking out the
government confidential document to the press is ethically wrong but with the intentions he did
is right as it is for safeguarding the rights of people. Therefore, Snowden act out of Altruistic
faith that is actions with no Ulterior motives is considered as Ethical (Olesen, 2019). Moreover,
this assist public to know about what government is hiding from them which is according to
me is ethically legal.