Blog Post #1

So far chapter 3 in the Tavani textbook has been the most engaging for me of all the reading. The topic of illegal downloading and digital media in general has always been an interesting topic for me. The thought of is digital media really ours? Since we have no actual physical copy of the media we buy what rights to we have concerning it? Just a few of the questions that these readings have made me think about.

 Another section of chapter 3 that grabbed my interest was on the case: Sony Corp of America v. Universal City Studios Inc. in 1984. I just sat back and thought about the consequences that could have come from that decision had it gone the other way. No video recording. No need to improve that technology further. Had that decision gone in favor of banning that technology I think this would be an entirely different conversation.

 The readings that I did not find very interesting/ thought provoking are those for chapter 2 of the Tavani textbook on the ethical theories. Sure it’s nice thinking of an exact set of rules to live by that fall under one of the theories or you just do what you feel is right on a daily basis. The idea of having a specific set of rules is a great idea but in practice there will never be a perfect set of rules that can be used in all situations.

 We read about and discuss on the forums all these different topics like we are ever going to answer correctly. It’s not as simple as right and wrong. People will react or act in a certain way based solely on the circumstance they are in at the time. People in general only do things that benefit themselves in some way. People rarely do what’s right when it puts their interests on the line. I think with this being said having a set what’s right and what’s wrong doesn’t really solve the problem.

 So far these readings have made me question some of my initial beliefs on the topic of what is moral and what is ethical. Are they going to make me change my ways? Probably not, but having a better understanding of the different topics and ideas I think will help me in making better choices in the future.