Biology MMC 4200 Final Assignment

This module concludes the course. As a Final Critique or Essay, we will analyze the Internet from an ethical perspective, including social media.

Some of the biggest challenges in today's digital world are the increasing amount of misinformation, if not intentional disinformation on the web (e.g., fake news), the use of minors for profit or mere attention or entertainment, unwanted surveillance of individuals by government entities and corporations or simply by other people, unequal access to Internet technologies, the abuse of animals in scenes of cruelty or ridicule, and the recurrent digital user's lack of responsibility for the environment, among many others. Although ethics, a branch of philosophy, is as old as ancient civilization (Mesopotamia, Egypt, Judea, Greece, Rome, Mesoamerica), practical tools to fight ethical wrongs in the Internet world are relatively scarce or outdated. See, for instance, the Code of Ethics of Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)

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or the Code of Ethics of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)

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Thinking ethically

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(click on this article by the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics), what philosophical approach would you adopt or embrace to try to resolve the moral ethical dilemmas of our global digital world? Explain why.

In the Western world, most of us have been brought up under Judeo-Christian values, but there are many other philosophical approaches that can be appealed to in order to complement or even replace Judeo-Christian principles. Alternative or complementary forms of ethical thought may include Aristotelian (Golden Mean rule), Platonic, Socratic, Buddhist, Confucian, deontological or Kantian (the Categorical Imperative by Immanuel Kant), utilitarian or consequentialist, Nietzschean (from Friedrich Nietzsche), Marxist, existentialist, relativist, feminist, etc. Do not hesitate to seek reliable sources for any of these terms. Use .edu or .org, avoiding the often meaningless chatter of amateurs).

In 400-500 words, answer the above question stated in boldface. Be sure to explain why. Remember, this time I am looking for an ethical, not a legal, answer. You have almost three weeks to complete this assignment. Plenty of time.

Provide the "word count" at the end of your essay. Note that this last assignment or Final Critique is worth 25 points.

Rubric Final Rubric, 25 Points

Criteria Ratings Pt s

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Quality of Writing

Thoughtful and polished writing, without grammatical errors.

5 pt s

Fu ll Ma rk s

0 pt s

N o M ar ks

5 pt s

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Demonstration of knowledge

The answer is based on textbook reading or other legally reliable information.

5 p t s

F u ll M a r k s

0 p t s

N o M a r k s

5 pt s

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Critical Thinking or Interpretation 5 p t s

0 p t s

5 pt s

The student engages in or strives to offer a critical analysis or personal interpretation of the assigned material that is likely to generate discussion.

F u l l M a r k s

N o M a r k s

Total Points: 15