Ethics and Social Issues in Google Company - Assignment Example

Running Head: ETHICS AND SOCIAL ISSUES Ethics and Social Issues Date Ethics and Social Issues Introduction Google Company was founded by the Larry Page and Sergey Brin, it is a search engine which is used to retrieve information that covers all fields and have been posted by the scholars. The name “Google” is a mathematical term which means 1 followed by 100 zeros. The name therefore represents the large volume of information which can be obtained in this search engine. The Google Company has established a mission statement, which is to organize information of the world and make it cosmically accessible and useful. Google is a company carrying out online businesses whereby they generate most of their revenue from offering advertisement measurable, effective in terms of cost and up to date information. a) Kantian Ethics can be defined as conscious perception of any act in a moral manner with the aim changing, extending in a right direction. Both theories of Kantian and utilitarianism try to explain how the human being should behave in the society. This paper will discuss the perception of theorist on how to relate in the society and why I do not support the move of Google Company in filtering some information concerning certain countries. Kant’s theory says that an action will not be moral based on the consequences they produce instead of agent acting, therefore it was the duty of Google to observe or act in a way that cannot affect anybody in any way. Kantianism has developed three principles; these include maxims, willing and the categorical imperative. Kant has explained all this three principles, he defines the maxim as the rule or principle which explains what the person is doing and environment which he is in doing that act. This principle is directly against what the actions that Google Company is doing in China and for this reason they made a decision (Singer, 1993). The second theory of Kant’s principle includes the willingness which states that a party can commit himself to ensure that the certain action has occurred. The last principle of the Kant’s theory is the categorical imperative is where person acts according to the universal law of a certain country. This was exactly what the Google did in Germany; it followed the law of the land. Kant had emphasized on the consistency of the maxim claiming that it should operate uniformly and covers every body (Singer, 1993). b) Utilitarianism Another theorist who spoke on ethical behaviors is the Utilitarianism; his primary objective was to analyses the characteristic of ethics and morality. This theory emphasizes on the utility or doing something which does not cause misunderstanding in the parties who are involved. According to the utilitarian theory, morality is found if the action leads to the satisfaction to all people concerned or to people who are affected in any way and produces utility for everyone. This means that if some people are not satisfied by the act then that act is morally wrong and should not be practiced. These laws emphasizes on satisfaction on the parties involved on that act (Singer, 1993). Utilitarian has suggested that everything should be weighed against the available alternative before implementing. The Kant and Utilitarian theory are the same because both theories try to explain how one should behave ethically and relate to the people in the environment. As per these two theories, Google Company should not accept the condition given in Chinese government, researchers has stated that the Google Company had comply with this law because their major aim is to carry out business and make huge profit and not to save the suffering children who are sexually abused. Google should have posted this information or report it to the U.S. government. (http://www.emeraldinsight.com). The Google Company had to abandon it principles in Pursuing for profit. c) Social Contract theory Another theory is the Social Contract theory which explained that the person’s morals will result on the agreement between the parties, this will ensure that people will harm one another as a result of immoral acts and that people must have trust on one another and keep their promises. For this to be achieved there must be a government to ensure this. This theory further state that the people within the government and the foreigners must respect the governing laws of the country, they should obey the ruling laws of the state. Though the Google Company did exactly these in China, it did not consider the ethical part of it (Singer, 1993). Filtering hate speech and filtering political speech in China There is no difference in filtering hate speech in Germany and filtering political speech in China, this is because Google Company are after making profits and there are ready to comply with any rule provided they are allowed to carry out business. These issues may affect the peace in the country because a country may involve itself in corruption and manipulate election results knowing that the international communities are not looking at them with care, for example political speeches may cause serious misunderstandings between the opposing parties in the country. It is advisable that such information should be posted on the internet for the attention of the international communities. Google, being the most powerful and well know engine in the world should try as much as possible to provide materials concerning child a bused and the corruption. Google slogan “Don’t be evil” The Google slogan “Don’t be evil” is appropriate for a publicly owned company; this has been the company’s motto for a long period of time which was suggesting that they provide their user with full information, and providing convenient services to its clients. This has not been the case and there is latest information that the Google Company is quietly dropping their slogan.( http://www.siliconvalleywatcher.com/mt/archives/2009/04/google_quietly.php). Other sources indicate that this slogan was ironical because the Google Company has failed to cover all fields. The Google Company are not living up to their slogan, in considering Google’s argument that “ Don’t be evil” which also requires “ Don’t be illegal” has never been the case, the Google are living important materials for the sake of their business. Google Company is making a lot of profit in China in expenses of child pornography in business. This is not ethical and this means that the Google Company is no longer serving the interest of the whole society. Retrieved on 25th November from IT JOB ADVERTISEMENT JOB TITLE – SENIOR TECHNICAL ARCHITECT - SOLARIS Job Description: We are looking for a professional IT person with two years experience from a reputable company. This is a full-time position to work with and successful applicant will be given additional training on software engineering. As the operation expand the successful candidate will be expected to take up additional responsibilities Salary: We are offering an attractive remuneration package with accommodation. Besides this, with offer medical cover for our employees Application: Handwritten application is encouraged and will be addressed to Pkomot Company Inc. P.o Box 4251 NY. Comment; the position needs a candidate who is self motivated and willing to work long hours, in addition to this the company is international company which may require the candidate to be moving from one place to another. JOB TITLE – SOFTWARE ENGINEER – WEB APPLICATIONS Job Description: We are advertising for the above vacancy. We are looking for a graduate trainee for this post. Successful applicant will be promoted to various departments after one year upon completion of the internship. Salary: Starting salary will be $120 and after confirmation the employees will be earning $ 160 plus allowances. Medical cover will be provided including for the first born of the employee. Application: Application will be through online via this e-mail: info@yahoo.rk.ck Comment; this job is quite demanding because it involved more of programming. The interesting part in this job is that it needs more creative people who can create more products. JOB TITLE – MICROSOFT ENGINEER Job Description: We are looking for self motivated person who is above the age of 25 years of age. He should be a university graduate from a recognize university and must have work in the same field or more than five years. Salary: We will negotiate after completing probation of 3 months. Successful application will be provided with basic needs in this period of probation Application: Strictly online application with scanned certificates or transcript. Comment; the interesting part is that a candidate should know Arabic language. In addition he should be well learned on areas like TCP, DNS, SMTP and WINS Source; JOB TITLE – HR SYSTEM PROJECT MANAGER Job Description; we are looking for the person whom have serve in the similar position for more than 10 years in a highly reputable company. There will be refresher courses for the qualified applicants Salary: The successful candidates will be paid $ 250. Accommodation will be provided Application: Online application ONLY. Any conversing will lead to automatic disqualification. Comment; the advert is looking for senior manager, while the instruction may not be up standard required. For example the salary is very low for the position advertised. Source; JOB TITLE – SENIOR JAVA DEVELOPER Job Description We are looking for Graduate with computer science. He MUST have specialized in Programming; he should be able to design websites. He/she should very good communication skills. Any other relevant testimonials will be added advantage. Salary: negotiable Application: Strictly online Comment; other relevant requirement include HTML, XML, OOD, UNIX Scripting and Extend Java Bean. The interesting part in this advert is that the employee needs a candidate with an excellent communication skill which may not be relevant in this field. References: Johnson, G. and Miller, W. 2009 Computer ethics, 4th edition, Pearson Educational International, NJ: Upper Saddle River (1) 67-92 Singer, P. 1993 A companion to ethics, Wiley-Blackwell (2) 178-197 ‘Building the body of knowledge’ Retrieved on 25th November from (http://209.85.229.132/search?q=cache:GRMUnVhRd50J:www.awpagesociety.com/imag es/uploads/Case_FINAL) ‘Google in China: government censorship and corporate reputation’ Retrieved on 25th November from ‘Career builder. Com’ Retrieved on 29th November from http://informationtechnology.careerbuilder.com/it.ic/InternetECommerce.htm?IPath=OC P&sc_cmp1=JS_Sub_JT_IT ‘Computer weekly’ Retrieved on 29th November from http://www.computerweekly.com/jobs/search/searchresults.aspx?keywords=&sortBy=Da te&sortdir=Descending&page=1&pageSize=10&cat7081=7082 IT Jobs Gulf Retrieved on 29th November from http://www.itjobsgulf.com/job/other-it- jobs/microsoft-engineer/679 IT jobs online Retrieved on 29th November from http://itjobs-online.com/job-details-jid-124501- sts-ind-order-jid.html IT jobs online Retrieved on 29th November from http://www.itjobs.com/cgibin/showjob.cgi?query=2597 Read More

This was exactly what the Google did in Germany; it followed the law of the land. Kant had emphasized on the consistency of the maxim claiming that it should operate uniformly and covers every body (Singer, 1993). b) Utilitarianism Another theorist who spoke on ethical behaviors is the Utilitarianism; his primary objective was to analyses the characteristic of ethics and morality. This theory emphasizes on the utility or doing something which does not cause misunderstanding in the parties who are involved.

According to the utilitarian theory, morality is found if the action leads to the satisfaction to all people concerned or to people who are affected in any way and produces utility for everyone. This means that if some people are not satisfied by the act then that act is morally wrong and should not be practiced. These laws emphasizes on satisfaction on the parties involved on that act (Singer, 1993). Utilitarian has suggested that everything should be weighed against the available alternative before implementing.

The Kant and Utilitarian theory are the same because both theories try to explain how one should behave ethically and relate to the people in the environment. As per these two theories, Google Company should not accept the condition given in Chinese government, researchers has stated that the Google Company had comply with this law because their major aim is to carry out business and make huge profit and not to save the suffering children who are sexually abused. Google should have posted this information or report it to the U.S. government.

(http://www.emeraldinsight.com). The Google Company had to abandon it principles in Pursuing for profit. c) Social Contract theory Another theory is the Social Contract theory which explained that the person’s morals will result on the agreement between the parties, this will ensure that people will harm one another as a result of immoral acts and that people must have trust on one another and keep their promises. For this to be achieved there must be a government to ensure this. This theory further state that the people within the government and the foreigners must respect the governing laws of the country, they should obey the ruling laws of the state.

Though the Google Company did exactly these in China, it did not consider the ethical part of it (Singer, 1993). Filtering hate speech and filtering political speech in China There is no difference in filtering hate speech in Germany and filtering political speech in China, this is because Google Company are after making profits and there are ready to comply with any rule provided they are allowed to carry out business. These issues may affect the peace in the country because a country may involve itself in corruption and manipulate election results knowing that the international communities are not looking at them with care, for example political speeches may cause serious misunderstandings between the opposing parties in the country.

It is advisable that such information should be posted on the internet for the attention of the international communities. Google, being the most powerful and well know engine in the world should try as much as possible to provide materials concerning child a bused and the corruption. Google slogan “Don’t be evil” The Google slogan “Don’t be evil” is appropriate for a publicly owned company; this has been the company’s motto for a long period of time which was suggesting that they provide their user with full information, and providing convenient services to its clients.

This has not been the case and there is latest information that the Google Company is quietly dropping their slogan.( http://www.siliconvalleywatcher.com/mt/archives/2009/04/google_quietly.php). Other sources indicate that this slogan was ironical because the Google Company has failed to cover all fields. The Google Company are not living up to their slogan, in considering Google’s argument that “ Don’t be evil” which also requires “ Don’t be illegal” has never been the case, the Google are living important materials for the sake of their business.

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