Ethical and Legal Implications of Edward Snowden's Actions

This project delves into the ethical and legal complexities surrounding Edward Snowden's actions. It begins by identifying the conflicting values at play, such as morality versus legality and individual liberty versus national security, and analyzes the harms and benefits resulting from Snowden's revelations. The project then explores whether Snowden's actions were ethically justified, even if legally prohibited, providing a reasoned viewpoint. It further considers hypothetical scenarios, such as the potential loss of life among CIA operatives, and how these factors might alter the ethical assessment. The project also discusses circumstances where whistleblowing is ethically ideal or prohibited. The analysis draws upon various sources to support the arguments presented.

Project

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.

3. If you were in Snowden’s position, what would you have done and why?
If I am at the position of Snowden, it is my duty to inform people preceding to releasing
the confidential documents directly to the press, Along with this, I will initially take proper
actions and after this release the confidential documents of government. As per my opinion, it is
important that people have knowledge about the facts and things which will be happened with
them prior to execution so that they can develop their mind-set accordingly and safeguard
themselves (Latan, 2019). Moreover, it is analysed by me that by doing this, the trauma done to
me would not take place. Furthermore, no bad opinion would be made on my act and obligations
will be apply on me. The main reason that Snowden informed to people is to safeguard the
interest of public which is the duty of a common man. This would informed people about the
things happened to them and also develop positive mind set of public whereas performing all
such things in front of press while on duty is ethically wrong due to which punishment is given
to Snowden by officials (Palumbo and Manna, 2019).
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?
Yes, I will change my position if have knowledge about leak of information and
government confidential documents leads to loss of life among CIA operatives as it is not
ethically right to harm the life of people. It is even not right as emotionally also as loss of life is
not ethical in both personal and professional context. Changing of position may save the loss of
life to m,any peoples and saves every aspects as well (Kenny, Vandekerckhove and Fotaki,
2019).
Apart from this, if it will save live then as per my perception, I will do the things and leak
documents which has done by Snowden as it is not ethically wrong in saving the lives. Also, it
also give an inner satisfaction to me and also make me liable to take actions if anything wrong
happens ion front of me. Moreover, the issue arise by Snowden is not ethically right but to save
life of people is ethically right in some other way.
5 Is there a circumstance in which you think Whistle-blowing would ethically be ideal? How
about ethically prohibited?
Whistle-blowing is basically the term used when an employee passes data associated with
wrongdoing. In addition to this, the wrong doing will typically be something they have proofed
at work. Yes, there would be a lot of circumstances in which I perceive that whistle-blowing is

ethically ideal. For instance, if the job that I am performing is not satisfy me then I would
definitely object my seniors about the issues I faced at workplace. As it is important for me to
firstly satisfy with myself so that I can take interest in performing my activities and gain higher
growth and development in my future (Smaili and Arroyo, 2019). Moreover, it will also decline
the fact issues that will faced by me in the future that impact on my performance. As per my
opinion, Whistle-blowing is ethical ideal as it save the interest of public and also protect them
from issues properly. Moreover, Whistle-blowing is morally needed as it is required to all as
people having moral obligations to prevent issue to others if it can do so with less cost.

REFERENCES
Books & Journal
Kenny, K., 2019. Whistleblowing: Toward a new theory. Harvard University Press.
Olesen, T., 2019. The politics of whistleblowing in digitalized societies. Politics &
Society, 47(2), pp.277-297.
Latan and ert. al., 2019. ‘Whistleblowing triangle’: Framework and empirical evidence. Journal
of Business Ethics, 160(1), pp.189-204.
Kenny, K., Vandekerckhove, W. and Fotaki, M., 2019. The whistleblowing guide: speak-up
arrangements, challenges and best practices. John Wiley & Sons.
Smaili, N. and Arroyo, P., 2019. Categorization of whistleblowers using the whistleblowing
triangle. Journal of Business Ethics, 157(1), pp.95-117.
Palumbo, R. and Manna, R., 2019. Uncovering the relationship between whistleblowing and
organizational identity. International Journal of Public Sector Management.