Privacy of Information and Advertising Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Privacy of Information and Advertising - Essay Example the FatAway Inc. has launched a product line that is so far trusting with respect to the product specifications and the claims that it says. And to market it, manager believes that the best idea is to select the fattest people in Australia and use them as spokespersons or as reference persons in their ads. For this manager needs to probe into the databases of companies that maintain statistics related to the fat people in Australia. In this situation we can say that the manager's company is the sponsoring client (or the user of the data) and the companies maintaining databases are the researchers. Now, manager sees that the data probably might be easily available about the heavy weighted people; but the problem lies in the intrusion of someone else's personal life and the respondent probably has given his personal profile for some other purpose, and to use it for a third purpose might not be liked by him. And even if the respondents agree to the proposal of acting as sales person then too they might not be aware of the future emotional consequences that might occur to them and then they would not have any option. As the technology emerges it brings with it new and creative ways of information sharing. Companies have also shifted their business orientation from production to provision of knowledge. And hence we see growing number of companies maintaining databases, and also government organizations maintain data with respect to the population demographics etc. This data is collected for specific purposes. But as we move forward issues concerning intrusion of privacy are enhanced; since individuals are too cautious about their personal lives and the style with which they live. Accordingly, no one has any right to say or dig into the reason why someone is fat, since he or she has no concern. This case explores the same idea. Ethical issue or dilemma in the case Firstly, manager (user of the data) sees that obtaining data about weight and height of client is intrusion of privacy and since in the western countries especially collecting and giving out of data is considered serious violation of privacy. Next, the data might be available with a third party (the researcher) and the researcher is ready to sell the data but data might have been collected for some other purpose and thus using it for some other reason might not be right. Third, the subjects i.e. the fat people might agree to participate and act as the spokesperson and participate in the advertising campaign for the company. But this may embarrass them in the future and bound them to work for the company even if they later realize that they don't like working in the ad or made public about their weakness i.e. being fat. Prevailing community or the societal attitudes of the person may not allow him to such a behaviour. Solutions to the case Solution 1: First and foremost the general business ethics of the company maintaining databases and their privacy policy should be analysed. If they have the right to use the respondents' information in any way and context with the prior permission of the client, then only the data should be used. And this is most required in situations when the certificate of confidentiality has been given by the respondents. Solution 2: Moreover, to avoid any future embarrassment and humiliation for the potential spokesperson they should be

What can the trial of Socrates teach us about the ethics of democratic Essay

What can the trial of Socrates teach us about the ethics of democratic citizenship - Essay Example He defended his ideas against critics who tried to challenge him to prove them. Many people were surprised with amount of audacity and confidence he showed even at a time his was threatened. He never doubted his intellectual wit and his philosophical findings. He surprised many people in his country and across the world when he rather chose to die but not change his philosophical ideas he had invented (Hiley, 66). The life of Socrates and lesson people learned from his trial that led to his death is clearly discussed. The effects of his trial to the current ethics of democratic citizenship is discussed and broadly evaluated. The trial of Socrates is firmly written the books of history because it had a great impact on the modern and ancient history of philosophy. He was one of the best and popular philosophers during his time. The citizen of the Athens arrested Socrates and brought him to judgment after hearing his philosophical findings. A big number of the people did not agree with the way he reasoned about life and they felt that they were being offended with such sayings. They called him to council of about five hundred citizen to face charges that were against him. The person to record the proceedings of the court process was Plato, his former student whom he had taught. Athenian law required the suspect to gather his own defense and present them on the floor, and one was required to gather his/her family to come and give emotional support. Socrates never allowed his family to step to the courtroom arguing that they make him lose concentration. After several court sessions, the acting judges who included Meletus, Lycon and Anytus found and ruled that Socrates was guilty. They ruled that he was influencing and corrupting the minds of the youths. He faced death as punishment to his crime, and his friends watched helplessly as drunk hemlock that was prepared for him. The citizens of Athens were surprised by the way he strongly defended his philosophical ideas and courageously faced death. His death brought a great impact in the world of ancient philosophical history. The Socrates trial and death has many lessons that can be learned from the ethics of a democratic citizen. There are democratic virtues that Socrates had, and they include eternal skepticism, which a citizen is allowed to have a broad and open dialogue on views commented by other citizens. The other democratic virtues are ability to participate and demonstrate without being brought to judgment (Talisse). Historians remain puzzled on the trial, especially with the present freedom evidenced in the societal setting. It is indeed strange how one can be victimized for being a teacher, and such teachings result in demise. Further, it is indeed strange why one would be put to death when a natural death was eminent. This clearly demonstrated that Socrates was not a wanted individual in the society and there was no ethics displayed in the actions. Socrates significantly contributed i n awakening the societal standpoint on political and ethical dealings and the misconceptions that are often involved in the two. Through his actions, he successfully demonstrated that there existed several fallacies in democratic citizenship. "The unexamined life is not worth living" is among the quotes he presented to elucidate this fact. Further, what one considered virtuous may not be necessarily seen in a similar manner in another area or by another person. Therefore, egalitarian citizenship varied depending on the location; hence, the trial may have diverse teachings. Rather than rebutting his teachings and his beliefs on his teachings, Socrates chose to die. He thus evidenced his moral commitment, since he