Ethics on the Web:

Applying Moral Decision-Making to

the New Media

Presenter: Linda M. Sama

Azizah E. Talusan Victoria Shoaf
March 2002
  Utilitarianism (Ends-based)
 distributive justice (Equity based)
Major Points  moral rights of man (Rules-based)
and
 Relativism (Comparison-based)
KEY WORDS

e-business ethics, e-commerce

ethics, ethics in decision-making,
internet ethical code, internet
privacy statements
Ethical decision-
making:
Theoretical
perspective
The application of ethics to decision-making in
business is a function of personal application
Utilitarianism  Produce the greatest good for the greatest number
 Cost / benefits approach to ethical decision-making
(ends-based)
 Great appeal to business managers (Cavanagh, 1998)

ALI BABA
  Can tolerate discriminating behavior on the part of
Distributive justice decision-makers, e.g. if a consumer pays more for a
service or good, he or she might expect better delivery
(Equity based) of the service or good.

LAZADA.COM,
SHOPEE
  Predicated on a belief that human rights are to be
respected at all costs, and harks back to Kantian
Moral rights of man philosophy (look at intention of the particular action)
(Rules-based)  Rule to universal law or duty
 Moral rights can be a source of an ethical dilemma
when two legitimate rights conflict.
 Relativism  Bases decisions on what referent others are doing
(comparison- under similar circumstances

based)  Rationale , global market economy

  Intellectual Property rights
Dilemma, e.g., providing “FREE PR
SAMPLE” for promotional goods,
credit designer, stealing
MICRO LEVEL competitors,

(New social media)  Right-to-know Dilemma, e.g.,

particular right-to-know with
respect to safety, product usage,
ingredients and etc

Atelier HERs LAHA

  Utilitarianism (End-based)
MACRO LEVEL  Moral Rights of Man (Human Rights), e.g., Cybercrime
(Philippine) Prevention Act of 2012 RA No. 10175