Net Neutrality and Ethical Theories

This essay analyzes net neutrality through four major ethical theories: Utilitarianism, Deontology, Virtue Ethics, and Contract Theory. It argues that net neutrality is ethically permissible as it promotes equal internet access and societal happiness. Each theory supports the notion that net neutrality fosters moral values, justice, and ethical responsibilities among Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and users alike.

SCHOOL OF COMPUTING AND MATHS, Charles Sturt University
OUR COMMITMENT TO NET NEUTRALITY
Assignment 3: Applying Ethical Theory
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Word Count: 1000

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1. Introduction
This is an article that talks about the net neutrality plan of EU. This news was released in April,
2016. The net neutrality was followed by the regulations of EU. This article said that this concept
of net neutrality resulted in the achievement of the Digital Single Market (Open Internet, 2017).
Net neutrality is a concept where the internet access is given to everyone equally without any
discrimination. This allows anyone to access the content that is present on the web. This does
not block any application or user based on certain criteria. It does not decide who the market
leaders are. The users can distribute the web content as per their requirement. This article
mentioned that the EU rules make sure that same and equal provisions are applied in the whole
of Europe. The web contents and services are not throttled or blocked according to the principle
of net neutrality (Bourreau, Kourandi & Valletti, 2015). This article gives an overview of net
neutrality and its impact on the society. According to the concept of net neutrality, the internet
traffic will be given equal importance. Good service as well as open internet will become
accessible to the end users. This article decides whether net neutrality is ethical according to
Utilitarianism, Virtue Ethics, Contract Theory and Utilitarianism Theory.
2. Utilitarianism Theory
According to the theory of Utilitarianism, a social policy or act is said to be morally or ethically
correct when it gives happiness or pleasure to most of the people in the society (Broad, 2014). In
this theory ‘utility’ does not stand for usage but it stands for pleasure or happiness. The main
focus of this theory is the consequences that take place after an act or policy. Most or all of the
people in a society will become happy because they will get access to the open internet without
any issues (Ross, 2013). Net neutrality will not stop any user from accessing any net content.
This will not only spread happiness but also help the society to grow and develop. Net neutrality
does not give any power to the ISP (Internet Service Provider) to control the access of the
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internet content. Utilitarian theory supports net neutrality. This is because equal access to the
internet would spread utility, i.e happiness among a huge number of people in Europe.
Therefore this theory says that net neutrality is an ethical act and is morally permissible.
3. Deontology Theory
The ethical theory of Deontology says that when people carry out their responsibilities as well as
duties then it leads to a morally permissible act or ethically correct activity (Vaughn, 2015). This
theory is not related with consequences unlike the Utilitarianism theory. In case of net neutrality
all the people of Europe will be able to get access to the open internet (Baynes, 2013).
Discrimination cannot be considered to be ethical. The ISP carries out their duties in an ethical
manner because they do not discriminate the net accessibility and everyone is able to access the
internet equally (Krämer, Wiewiorra & Weinhardt, 2013). It can be seen that here the theory of
Deontology is in support of net theory. Therefore according to the ethical theory of Deontology,
net neutrality is an ethical act.
4. Virtue Theory
The theory of Virtue Ethics main focus is on the character and value of an individual person. This
theory is not related to the obligations and consequences (Van Hooft, 2014). A person has
intrinsic values that develop with time. If a person has good intrinsic values then the result of
any activity performed by that person will be ethical. Internal motivation is responsible for the
happiness of the people (Athanassoulis, 2013). The act of net neutrality will promote equality in
Europe. People will get motivated and develop moral values. When they will see that there is no
discrimination in the country then they will tend to act in a morally correct way. Therefore
according to the theory of Virtue Ethics the act of net neutrality is ethical.
5. Contract Theory
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The theory of Contract points out that a person will feel obligated to be ethical and act in a
morally permissible way if there is a contract. This contract will make the people feel obligated
and promote the welfare of the society (Fried, 2015). People tend to think about the benefit of
the society. Justice is the main component of the modern version of Contract theory. Net
neutrality treats everyone equally and does not discriminate. Therefore net neutrality gives
justice to everyone. Net neutrality is a concept where the internet access is given to everyone
equally without any discrimination. This allows anyone to access the content that is present on
the web. This does not block any application or user based on certain criteria. It does not decide
who the market leaders are. The users can distribute the web content as per their requirement.
If there is justice then the act is ethical (Kőszegi, 2014). Equality gives justice to the people. The
contract that is present here is that a certain amount of money is paid to the ISP and the ISP
provides equal access to the internet to everyone. Therefore it can be said that the theory of
Contract supports the act of net neutrality. According to this theory net neutrality is an ethically
correct.
6. Conclusion
It can be concluded from this essay that the net neutrality is considered to be morally permissible or
ethically correct act. The act of net neutrality is judged from the point of view of four main theories
of ethics. These classical theories give a proper explanation that why it considers the act of net
neutrality to be ethical. This essay described the Utilitarianism theory and says that because net
neutrality spreads happiness among the entire country so it is ethical. The Virtue Ethics theory says
that net neutrality promotes moral values of humans and so it is morally correct. The Contract
Theory says that the contract between the ISP and the people promotes ethics and so net neutrality
is ethical. Finally the Deontology theory says that there is no discrimination and ISP carries out their
duties in an ethical way so net neutrality is ethical. So it can be concluded that net neutrality is an
ethical act.
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References
Athanassoulis, N. (2013). Virtue ethics. A&C Black.
Baynes, K. (2013). Critical theory. Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Bourreau, M., Kourandi, F., & Valletti, T. (2015). Net neutrality with competing internet
platforms. The Journal of Industrial Economics, 63(1), 30-73.
Broad, C. D. (2014). Five types of ethical theory (Vol. 2). Routledge.
Fried, C. (2015). Contract as promise: A theory of contractual obligation. Oxford University
Press, USA.
Kőszegi, B. (2014). Behavioral contract theory. Journal of Economic Literature, 52(4),
1075-1118.
Krämer, J., Wiewiorra, L., & Weinhardt, C. (2013). Net neutrality: A progress
report. Telecommunications Policy, 37(9), 794-813.
Open Internet. (2017). Digital Single Market. Retrieved 12 September 2017, from
https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/eu-actions-net-neutrality
Ross, D. (2013). Foundations of ethics. Read Books Ltd.
Van Hooft, S. (2014). Understanding virtue ethics. Routledge.
Vaughn, L. (2015). Doing ethics: Moral reasoning and contemporary issues. WW Norton &
Company.
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)
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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)
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)
Referencing
(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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