Refine a paper

Outline

Step 1: Information Gathering

Net neutrality is heated discussed topic recently. The IPS or government could restrain or block normal people’s access to certain websites for various purposes. ( In the introduction to your paper be sure to briefly discuss why this issue is morally or epistemically relevant. )

The internet access in China is controlled by three major corporations: China Mobile Communications Corporation, China Unicom Co., Ltd. and China Telecommunications Corporation. These three corporations provide the internet access service for the more than almost all Chinese internet users, and all of them are government-owned corporations. Thus, the government could easily control the access of certain websites. So, the net neutrality is severely destroyed.

Step 2: Listing Pros and Cons

Option1: The government should release the control of Internet access and make the net be neutral( Good. What are the CARVE principles backing these reasons?) .

Pros:

(1) The users could access to all websites in the World and could get more information.

(2) The users could know some news from different aspects. If government controls the access, the information may be bias.

(3) The users could know some negative information about the government. This is good for people’s right to know.

Cons:

(1) There may be some rumors on the internet and the government could not stop the spread of rumors. Sometimes, it’s hard for normal people to judge it is true of false.( Right. Neutrality promotes epistemic equality. But does it actually make finding the truth easier? More information doesn’t mean better or more reliable information, e.g. fake news. )

(2) Without the government’s control, it is hard for internet autonomy to block some illegal information (such as gamble, illegal gun trade, human trafficking) on Internet. Because the IPS’s objective is earning money, not maintaining state security. So, they will not cost much money on eliminating illegal information on internet.

Option2: The government should NOT release the control of Internet access and make the net be neutral.

Pros:

(1) Most internet users are not able to distinguish rumors and truths especially involve in professional knowledge. So, the IPS and government’s control could keep users away from websites of spreading rumors.

(2) IPS and government’s control could keep users away from some illegal websites, such as online gamble, illegal fund-raising.

Cons:

(1) The government or IPS could use their right to deprive users’ right of knowing.

(2) It’s not good for epistemic exchange. The IPS or government may block some website for small fraction contents, and users cannot access to other harmless information on these websites.

Step 3: Analysis( Each reason needs to be analyzed. Then pick the strongest reason that favors your argument and compare and contrast it a bit with one or two of the other pros/cons)

From step2, there are some pros and cons for net neutrality. If the IPS and government could control the internet and block some access to certain websites or webpages. It may be helpful to the improve social stability and state security. The terrorist organizations cannot spread rumor to people and cannot cause the panic. In addition, for the government, it could spend enough money and labor to search and prevent illegal information on the internet. However, blocking users to access any website contradict to net neutrality.

In the other side, abuse of power is the side effect of power. The interference from IPS or government could block rumors and illegal information on the internet. They may also use this right or power to block their unpresentable action. So, the normal people could not always know some truths about their government. It deprives people’s right of know. Furthermore, neither IPS or government cannot block 100% information that they want to block, and people know that the government may block some of their negative information. So, the unblocked rumor is easy to be convinced by people.

Step 4: Justification

(Introduction: The Internet is getting increasingly important in our life, because it is very easy and fast for people to communicate and getting information from it. Thus, some IPS or government may restrict the access to some website or webpages to control normal people’s information source from Internet for varies purposes. Net neutrality sounds good because it related to “freedom”, but “freedom” may cause some new problems. ( What are you going to argue in the paper ?)

(Support: Although the net neutrality could bring some freedom to Internet users, it may not be perfect good to users. Some illegal information websites are harmful to users. Some websites may fabricate and spread rumors to public and people cannot distinguish it is rumor or truth. Thus, the control of IPS and government are important and necessary.)

(Defense: If IPS and government have right to block some website, there is not one or organization could supervise the usage of power. The IPS or government could use this power to block their negative information. Also, they will block the whole website even it only has small portion of incorrect information.)

(Summary: The interference of Internet access from IPS or government may not be easily defined as a good thing or bad thing. It’s a double-edged sword because it will eliminate some bad things and also bring other new problems. So net neutrality may not be a Utopia and the interference and restriction of Internet access may be helpful to build a good Internet environment.)

Instruction：

General Format

Step 1: Information Gathering

(State Moral/Epistemic Issue)

(Insert Your Information Here)

Step 2: Listing Pros and Cons

(You Need To List At Least Two Options. Note: I will not provide the options—you need to think about the case and decide what the morally relevant options are.)

(Insert Option 1 Along With Pros and Cons Here)

(Insert Option 2 Along With Pros and Cons Here)

Step 3: Analysis

(Insert Your Analysis of the reason from Step 2 here. Be sure to compare and contrast reasons.)

Step 4: Justification

(Introduction: Insert Your Introduction Here)

(Support: Insert Your Support Here)

(Defense: Insert Your Defense Here)

(Summary: Insert Your Summary Here)

Format of Step 4:

For the final paper, you are allowed to copy and paste your work from the outline assignment. For example, in the Introduction section, where you introduce the problem, you’ll probably copy and paste a lot of information from Step 1. In both the Support and Defense sections, you’ll probably copy and paste a lot of information from Step 3, your analysis. So, don’t hesitate to do that. That is exactly what the outline is for. However, be sure to address any comments I might give you and be sure that the paper reads like an essay and not a bunch of bullet points.

I. Introduction: Briefly introduce the moral issue, and indicate the option your analysis has shown to be morally preferable.

II. Support: For each reason in the pro/con chart that supports the option you prefer, write a paragraph explaining what your analysis has shown about that reason. Identify why it is strong and important. Be sure to discuss and defend any important factual or value/moral assumptions behind that judgment.

III. Defense: For each reason in the pro/con chart that goes against the option you prefer, write a paragraph explaining what your analysis has shown about that reason. Identify why it is weak or unimportant. Be sure to discuss and defend any important factual or value/moral assumptions behind that judgment.

IV. Summary: Summarize the reasoning. Review the most important reason favoring the better option, and remind the reader why the main reason against that option is not significant.

The justification step will look like a short paper (1500-2000) words. With all of the other steps, the total assignment should be around 3000 words.