Charles Sturt University: Ethical Analysis of China's Social Credit

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This essay provides an ethical analysis of China's Social Credit Score system, applying various ethical theories including utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics, and contract theory. It examines the potential benefits and drawbacks of the system, considering its impact on individual happiness, moral duties, character development, and social contracts. The essay discusses how each theory views the implementation of the social credit system, highlighting the ethical considerations and potential conflicts that arise. It concludes by summarizing the diverse perspectives offered by these ethical frameworks and their implications for the design and governance of the social credit system in China. The document is available on Desklib, a platform offering a wide range of study resources for students.
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SCHOOL OF COMPUTING AND MATHS, CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY
China’s Social Credit Score

Assignment 3: Applying Ethical Theory

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Student Number

Word Count: 1500
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China’s Social Credit Score
Table of Contents

Introduction
.............................................................................................................................. 2
Utilitarianism Theory
................................................................................................................3
Deontology Theory
................................................................................................................... 4
Virtue Theory
............................................................................................................................5
Contract Theory
.......................................................................................................................6
Conclusion
............................................................................................................................... 7
References
............................................................................................................................... 8
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China’s Social Credit Score
Introduction

This report helps to understand the concept of different theories of ethics. It also analyses

this theory in respect of case. It discusses the theory of utilitarianism in which it states that

individuals desire the happiness. It is based on the principle that “actions are right and that

tend to promote the happiness and wrong as they reverse of happiness”. The other theory is

a virtue that emphasis on the virtue of mind and character. The theory of Deontology is

depended on action that can be right or wrong and based on the series of rules rather on the

consequences of action.

The case study is based on China’s social credit score that can be implemented by different

programs. The main aim of the study is to generate the score for different individuals and

institutions. It can also be analyses that eight companies have been approved for these

systems and also compile information to assign the citizens as score.

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China’s Social Credit Score
Utilitarianism Theory

This theory focus on the happiness of individuals that is based on the pleasure that results

from an action, it is the version of consequentialism that can be stated as the consequences

of an action that can be a standard of right or wrong.

In relation to the case study, the china is developing the “social credit score” that can be

applied to different citizens and institutions. Their main aim of social credit system is to

generate a score and that helps to fill the data like tax, through this system more number of

consumers can reap rewards. With the help of utilitarianism theory more students can

generate this facility and that leads to the maximum number of happiness. They also decline

the “persistent rumors that can be monitored by the user of organizations while accessing

their social credit (
Woodruff, 2018).
According to the utilitarian’s act, it can be stated that the act of social system is permissible if

the consequences can be produced by performing the act for the greatest number of

individuals who adopted the system. Some of the utilitarians argued that these are the

consequence that is the outcome of the different principles or rules and not the

consequences of acts.

It can also be evaluated that if the government establishes the system of blacklist then

individuals can engage in online swindles, rumourmongering, infringe the interest and right

of other individuals. This all can be recognized as the empathy for individuals (
Irina Raicu,
2018
).
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China’s Social Credit Score
Deontology Theory

This theory focuses on the concept of morality that can conform to an objective set or

standard, these principles can be stated as the categorical that is without exception and

imperative in which they have to perform a duty. It is based on the rule and that can be

binding on all individuals without any exception. It can also be noted that this theory

disregards the importance of happiness and social utility. Through this, there will be less

number of individuals to attend the program. If there is less number of institutions and

individuals then the china will not able to develop and that leads to the diseconomy. It can

also be asserted that this theory is consistent with moral absolutism but that should not be

compulsory. As per the theory, they believe that the rules of China government bind

individuals with their duty.

In relation to the case study, the china is developing the program of “social credit score”

through nation-wide as a part of financial credibility and the mechanism of part compliance. It

can be identified that this program is right or wrong under the rules rather than the

consequences. As per this theory, it can be stated that the morality can be identified by the

laws and duties. But According to article, it can be restricted that this system is not only

effective as the part of economic life and a part of social life in which principles and laws are

defined and recognized (
Glaser & Strauss, 2017).
This theory stress on the role of duty and gives respect to the persons, as the main of China

is to provide the better system of social credit score. In respect of the case, the there main

role is to compile the data from the different sources that helps to assign the individuals a

score. It also analyses the different benefits that can arise through the execution of the credit

score system that can be related to the social control and privacy.

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China’s Social Credit Score
Virtue Theory

This theory focuses on the character of individuals as the important factor in ethical thinking

rather than the rules about the acts. According to the Aristotle, the individuals who possess

the character should perform the task at right thing, right time and in right way. It focuses on

the moral development and moral education (
Heinzelmann, 2018).
As per the case study of social credit system, they appoint the different who apply their mind

and knowledge in developing the system of social credit. To execute the knowledge from

different sources and to assign to the different individuals they can develop morally. It can

also be evaluated that if more number of students and individuals adopt this program then

they can develop morally. It can also be noted that the theory of virtue is based on the

positive trait that helps the individual to become a good human being. In respect to the case

study, it can be determined that to develop any system it ios essential to establish the

sincerity culture that helps them to analyze the performance. To contradict this, they argue

that the system of social culture is an effective system that strengthens the sincerity and

stimulates the trust in society (
Carr, 2018).
It also focuses on the scan of Chinese social media that reflects the discussions on sesame

credit that involves the brainstorming of people and that helps to improve the scheme of

bicycle. This theory has a disadvantage that depends on the homogenous community

standards of morality. As per this theory, the system is based on the language, culture,

ethnicity and that is not suitable for the individuals. As to attend the system, of social credit

more number of consumers can attend and reap the knowledge. If it is based on the

homogeneity then they are not able to receive the knowledge and that also contradict the

theory of utilitarian.

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China’s Social Credit Score
Contract Theory

This theory is based on the pre-mortal existence of individuals and social contract in which

the individuals have rights to satisfy the needs and wants and avoids the antipathy. It

focuses on the concept of morality that provides the difference between the right and wrong

on the basis of good and bad behavior.

It can also be stated that if the individuals adopt the policy of morality in respect to social

credit system then they can easily determine the good and bad impacts on the basis of

behavior. If this theory can be adopted by different individuals then they can be motivated by

being moral. It can also be noted that rights can be in positive or negative form. If the

institutions and university adopt this system then they can build the reputation and that can

be considered as the positive rights. Apart from this, if they use this system as the part of

online scandals and infringes the right of individuals then it is negative right.

As per the case, it can be identified that the china develops the system of “social credit

score” that can be developed by the Chinese government. This system standardizes the

assessment of the individuals and business economic and social reputation. With the help of

this system, they can develop the technology that helps the individuals to perform their tasks

in an easy manner (
Ebenstein, 2018).
This theory is criticized on the minimalist morality. It can be stated that if there is no formal or

legal contract that then it can be implemented morally. This theory is based on two principles

in relation to the study. The population of Chinese has to adopt this type of system. The

system should provide the facilities to different individuals and institutions.

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China’s Social Credit Score
Conclusion

From the above report, it can be asserted that there is a different theory of Ethics. This

theory helps the individuals to perform their activities. They also evaluate that the system of

social credit is an effective method that helps to strengthen the sincerity, stimulates the trust

in society and also diminish the social contradictions. The government of China tries to

develop this system in a more effective and efficient manner as through this more number of

individuals can take advantage. With the help of different theory, they can evaluate the

moral, duties and beliefs in respect of different case study. It can also be identified that if the

government adopts this system then it can give benefit to a large number of individuals and

that leads to motivation among employees. It can also essential to develop the new laws, a

regulation that helps the organization to develop the theory according to them.

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China’s Social Credit Score
References

Carr, D. (Ed.). (2018). Cultivating moral character and virtue in professional practice.
Routledge.

Ebenstein, L. O. (2018). Routledge Revivals: The Greatest Happiness Principle
(1986): An Examination of Utilitarianism
. Routledge.
Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (2017). Discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for
qualitative research
. Routledge.
Heinzelmann, N. (2018). Deontology defended. Synthese, 1-20.
Irina Raicu, (2018). China’s Social Credit Score. Available at:
https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/internet-ethics/resources/chinas-social-credit-

score/[Accessed
on 11 September 2018]
Koven, S. G. (2015). Public sector ethics: Theory and applications. Routledge.
Woodruff, P. (Ed.). (2018). The Ethics of Giving: Philosophers' Perspectives on
Philanthropy
. Oxford University Press.
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China’s Social Credit Score
Do not remove the following marking sheet.

Marking Sheet

Criteria
Standards
Marks

awarde

d

Classical

Ethical

Theory

(Value

60%)

HD: Demonstrates an excellent ability at applying ethical theories

to the ethical issues. (51-60)

DI: Demonstrates a good ability at applying ethical theories to the

ethical issues. (45-50.4)

CR: Makes a genuine attempt at applying the ethical theories to

the ethical issues. (39-44.4)

PS: The ethical theories do not link well with the ethical issues.

(30-38.4)

FL: The ethical theories are not properly applied to the ethical

issues. (0-29.4)

Writing &

structure

(Value

20%)

HD: Language features and structures are used to convey

meaning effectively, concisely, unambiguously, and in a tone

appropriate to the audience and purpose with no spelling,

grammatical, or punctuation errors. (17-20)

DI: Well developed skills in expression & presentation of ideas.

Fluent writing style appropriate to assessment task/document

type. Grammar & spelling accurate. (15-16.8)

CR: Good skills in expression & clear presentation of ideas.

Mostly fluent writing style appropriate to assessment

task/document type. Grammar & spelling contains a few minor

errors. (13-14.8)

PS: The text contains frequent errors in spelling, grammar, word

choice, and structure, lacks clarity, and is not concise, but the

meaning is apparent to the reader with some effort. (10-12.8)

FL: Rudimentary skills in expression & presentation of ideas. Not

all material is relevant &/or is presented in a disorganised manner.

Meaning apparent, but writing style not fluent or well organised.

Grammar & spelling contains many errors. (0-9.8)

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Conclusion

(Value

10%)

HD: Superior conclusion that ties the results of the analysis

together into a coherent, logically valid & convincing argument.

(8.5-10)

DI: Very high standard conclusion that ties the results of the

analysis together into a coherent, logically valid & convincing

argument. (7.5-8.4)

CR: High standard conclusion that ties the results of the analysis

together into a coherent, logically valid & convincing argument.

(6.5-7.4)

PS: Rudimentary conclusion that provides a convincing argument.

(5-6.4)

FL: Sub-standard (or no) conclusion. (0-4.9)

Referencin

g

(Value

10%)

HD: Referencing is comprehensive, demonstrates academic

integrity, and conforms exactly to APA style conventions. (8.5-10)

DI: Very good referencing, including reference list and citations.

High quality references. (7.5-8.4)

CR:Good referencing, including reference list and citations. Good

quality references. (6.5-7.4)

PS:Referencing is comprehensive, mostly accurate according to

APA style conventions, and demonstrates academic integrity.

Some minor errors or omissions in style and formatting choices

(e.g. italics, punctuation, etc) don’t impact on the transparency

and traceability of the source, or demonstration of academic

integrity. (5-6.4)

FL: Sub-standard (or no) referencing. Poor quality (or no)

references. (0-4.9)

Total

Marks

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