code of ethics worksheet

Name: Excellent Student Select a company or organization from the approved list (see the lesson resources) and provide the name and URL for the published code of ethics: Company: Facebook URL: https://s21.q4cdn.com/399680738/files/doc_downloads/governance_documents/2021/0 6/FB-Code-of-Conduct.pdf Briefly describe in 3-6 sentences why you made this selection (see if you can dig deep and uncover your feelings about what attracted you to this one in particular): When looking at the potential organizations for this assignment, I decided on Facebook because of the controversies surrounding it. I wanted to look deeper at what they present their ethics to be. I personally wanted to discover what ethical foundation the company is trying to accomplish versus what I have seen/heard. Briefly detail five values you see reflected in the code and be sure to explain the value and your rationale: 1. Give people a voice – Facebook promotes its platform as being one that allows for everyone to use their voice. This is incredibly important. Having the opportunity to express yourself on a platform that allows you to reach broader parts of your community (or even the world) allows you to connect and potentially positively influence others. 2. Build connection and community – Facebook states that it sees the potential of people when they come together and desire to facilitate these connections. There are multiple reasons that this is valuable. There are instances that Facebook has been use to reconnect long lost family, allowed for people to come together for events such as pet adoption events, or even invite others for life events such as birthdays. Facebook is also used to simply maintain contact for individuals that are not geographically close. This is beneficial because without such a platform, Facebook users could lack such opportunity in their lives and feel distanced or even alone. 3. Serve everyone – Facebook attempts to provide the same opportunity for everyone to allow for the use of potential. Although Facebook cannot guarantee outcome, allowing everyone the same platform gives the same chance. 4. Keep people safe and protect privacy – Facebook commits to protecting its communities from harm. Facebook mentions honoring people’s privacy in everything it does, being loyal and transparent, and collaborating responsibly with third parties. For many people, these values are incredibly important and reassuring in the use of a platform. Although, users can expect harmful, illegal, etc., types of media to be removed. Knowing that these values are upheld assures the user that the platform is safe and one to use. 5. Promote economic opportunity – Facebook allows people to use its tools to unlock potential and economic opportunity for themselves through both communities and organizations. Many individuals use Facebook as a platform to make a living through

various means, whether it is posting content or hosting a ‘party’ for products. The opportunity to expand one’s economic status while not requiring them to commit to a typical job allows for flexibility and income when it may not otherwise be obtainable. For example, a stay-at-home parent. Discuss whether you can outline a situation where this code may not apply. If not explain why you feel this code covers all situations you might encounter in your desired occupation: Personally, in my desired occupation, I feel like the majority of this code applies. My desired occupation is that of a Physician Assistant. In such an occupation, giving people a voice, building connection and community, serving everyone, and keeping people safe and protecting their privacy is all relative and important. The only situation that a part of the code may not apply is the promoting an individual’s economic opportunity. It is not a Physician Assistant’s job to be involved in the finances of the patient’s treatment. The only instance I feel this could apply is if the Physician Assistant went above and beyond and involved himself/herself in the billing/copayment/etc of the patient. Which would be exceptional, but not expected. Finally, discuss which moral theory or theories you see reflected in the code: Within the code, I see several moral theories that apply. The first moral theory that I feel applies is Deontology. Deontology (the approach to ethics that focuses on the rightness or wrongness of actions) is reflected in this code because Facebook focuses on maintaining the habit of making choices that the company feels are the rightful actions to take and attempt to eliminate wrongful ones. I also see the Utilitarian approach within Facebook’s code. When looking through its code, it can easily be seen that Facebook is attempting to keep everyone on the same level in regards to ‘happiness’. For example, equal opportunities on the platform. After review, it can easily be seen that both the Deontology and Utilitarian theories are at the forefront of Facebook’s code. References “Consequentialism.” Consequentialism - By Branch / Doctrine - The Basics of

Philosophy, www.philosophybasics.com/branch_consequentialism.html. “Deontology.” Deontology - By Branch / Doctrine - The Basics of Philosophy,

www.philosophybasics.com/branch_deontology.html. Keep Building Better: The Facebook Code of Conduct.