Chapter 2, Problem 1EGDQ

a)

Explanation of Solution

Kant’s categorical imperative:

The Kant’s categorical imperative is desired by the philosopher “Immanuel Kant” and he defined as that an “imperative” is a something that a person have to do.

For example, suppose a person wants to stop for being a thirsty then he has to drink, so in that ways we can says it is an “imperative”. And this will also know as the categorical/direct imperative.

• According to the Kant’s categorical imperative, monitoring the physiology and computer behavior of employees is ethical until the employees are well aware of all the data that is to be collected and about them being monitored.
• The employer should also take care of the fact that the data collected is only used for the purposes as explained to employees.
• This act may turn into an unethical act if the employees are unaware of being monitored or for what purpose the collected data will be used.

Example:

If Richie was not of company’s monitoring policies then it will be initially considered as an unethical behavior, but Richie was provided with all the documents where he can read about it when he was hired and even his boss was open to Richie about it. Even the boss is okay with everyone knowing about them getting monitored. All this facts conclude that monitoring was ethical according to categorical imperative.

b)

Utilitarianism:

Explanation of Solution

Utilitarianism is nothing but a moral theory that states that the greatest act is the one that increases utility.

According to utilitarian perspective, the monitoring the employees is ethical as it reducing the insurance costs by improving the health of the employees. This is benefitting both the employer and the employees. In such cases there is a risk of hampering the privacy of the employees but it is considered as ethical as long as it is transparent.