10. The Boundaries of Cybersecurity: Ethics, Rights, and Laws 261 In Bob’s ethical dilemma, are any of the affected parties being treated as a means to an end? By not telling the president, Bob is preserving his own reputation and professional image at some potential cost to the president. In this way, Bob is using the president as a means to the end of preserving his own reputation. While Bob might be tempted to believe that it was not such a big deal and what the president does not know cannot hurt him, these mitigating factors, even if true, do not alter his obligation to tell the president what he did. Therefore, it is Bob’s duty to tell him that he listened to the call. 10.1.1.5 Virtue Theory “Knowing about virtue is not enough, but we must also try to possess and exercise virtue.” - Aristotle Virtue theory emphasizes living a life of moral excellence. Aristotle believed that virtue was the path to true happiness. Most societies throughout history have honored a similar set of virtues such as honesty, justice, courage, and patience. These character qualities are esteemed because they lead to societal flourishing, yet they are difficult to live by because they require discipline and self-sacrifice. Choosing character costs something. A life of virtue requires convictions and a belief in a greater good that is worth serving, despite short-term costs. For Bob’s ethical dilemma, are there any moral virtues at stake? Honesty is a virtue. Honesty is not only limited to what is said, but also to what is left unsaid. Telling partial truths or providing intentionally misleading information, even if technically accurate, is a form of dishonesty. Should Bob disclose his finding about VOIP calls being unencrypted? To not do so would be dishonest, but telling the president in a carefully crafted way could also be considered dishonest. Plus, Bob’s conscience is bothering him, indicating deep down he knows what he did was not right. Therefore, Bob should choose character and confess to the president that he listened to the call. In the short term this means putting himself at the mercy of the president and whatever consequences may follow, but in the long term it is trusting that the path of virtue will lead to greater future happiness and well-being. 10.1.1.6 Summary “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” - Luke 16:10 Even though it was not unanimous, the weight of our analysis concludes that Bob should confess to the president that he listened to the personal phone call. A key insight is that even though personal negative consequences are first and foremost in Bob’s mind, the fear of personal negative consequences are largely immaterial when it comes to evaluating the morality of a situation. By identifying all of the affected parties, applying the veil of ignorance, and viewing the situation through multiple ethical paradigms, Bob’s bias towards self-protection is removed from the analysis.
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