Virtue Theory Relativism and Survival †Free Samples to Students

Question: Discuss about the Virtue Theory Relativism and Survival. Answer: Introduction ICT stands for Information and Communication Technology. ICT has expanded and transformed in a rapid manner since last few years. The role of ICT in any of the business sectors and organizations cannot be avoided as there is one or the other ICT component that is being used in every organization in the current era. Information and data are the two essential components that are associated with ICT which make up for the prime assets for any organization. The growth of ICT has been massive and it is because of this reason that there are several ethical issues that have been observed in the world of ICT. One of the case studies from the field of ICT has been picked up to be studied on the basis of numerous ethical theories. Smartphones are being used by a majority of people in the present times. There are a lot many personal and professional tasks that people carry out on their smartphones. Two of the major companies that provide the users with the Smartphones are Apple and Samsung. Smartphones that are provided by Apple are based on iOS as the operating system and Samsung phones have Android as their operating systems. The essential features of both these operating systems different from each other. However, in 2011, Apple came up with filing of a lawsuit against Samsung as it charged the company of copying its patented features. Samsung in return did not accept the charges that were levied by Apple and accused the organization of copying its features. The charges that were being claimed by both the parties were a clear violation of the Intellectual Property. Honorable Supreme Court came up with a final verdict last year that did not find Samsung guilty of all the charges; however, there were certain c harges that were found to be true and Samsung was asked to pay a heavy compensation as a punishment (Balakrishnan, 2016). There are various theories of ethics that have been created which can be applied to understand the case study from the ethical perspective. One of such ethical theories is the theory of Utilitarianism. In order to justify an act as ethically correct on the parameters of this theory, it is essential that the activity shall result in benefits to larger sections of people in the society. However, in the legal battle between Apple and Samsung, Apple did not experience any benefits; rather, it was observed that the sales of its Smartphones came down due to the presence of similar features by other vendor at lower costs in the market. The situation also did not go well with the workforce of the company as the employees were not provided with clear directions on the methodology to follow and there were drops in the levels of productivity that were encountered (West, 2004). Since, the acts that were done by Samsungs as well as Apple did not adhere to the ethical principles as defined under t his theory, the entire activity is termed and evaluated as ethically inaccurate and unacceptable (Jacobson, 2008). Theory of Deontology There are various theories of ethics that have been created which can be applied to understand the case study from the ethical perspective. One of such ethical theories is the theory of Deontology. In order to justify an act as ethically correct on the parameters of this theory, it is essential that the activity shall adhere to the set of rules, policies and guidelines that define it. The set of features that Apple accused Samsung of copying and reflecting in its phones includes presence of quick links, syncing with the background and auto-correction. Samsung in return filed the lawsuit complaining that Apple copied its camera and folder organization. As per the rules that define the functioning of the companies working in the field of ICT, there is a professional and ethical code of conduct that is required to be followed. Also, there shall be no violation of the Intellectual Property rights that shall be reflected. None of these rules were followed in the execution of activities by the two companies. Since, the acts that were done by Samsungs as well as Apple did not adhere to the ethical principles as defined under this theory, the entire activity is termed and evaluated as ethically inaccurate and unacceptable (Friend, 2015). There are various theories of ethics that have been created which can be applied to understand the case study from the ethical perspective. One of such ethical theories is the theory of Virtue Ethics. In order to justify an act as ethically correct on the parameters of this theory, it is essential that the activity shall be based upon happiness as a virtue and a goal (Grcic, 2013). The major reasons that led to the copying of features exclusive to each other included higher customer satisfaction along with better revenues and results for the companies. This in return led to the damage to both the parties along with the employees engaged with both the firms as well (Hursthouse, 2012). Since, the acts that were done by Samsungs as well as Apple did not adhere to the ethical principles as defined under this theory; the entire activity is termed and evaluated as ethically inaccurate and unacceptable There are various theories of ethics that have been created which can be applied to understand the case study from the ethical perspective. One of such ethical theories is the theory of Social Contract. In order to justify an act as ethically correct on the parameters of this theory, it is essential that the activity shall fulfill the social norms and guidelines that are specified on the basis of a specific social structure or community (Friend, 2017). The number of firms in the field of ICT is huge and if all of these firms begin with the practice of copying the methods and features of each other then there will be a situation of chaos that will be created and it will be the violation of social norms as well. In the case of legal battle between Apple and Samsung, the similar situation of chaos can be seen and observed. Since, the acts that were done by Samsungs as well as Apple did not adhere to the ethical principles as defined under this theory; the entire activity is termed and e valuated as ethically inaccurate and unacceptable. Conclusion The role of ICT in any of the business sectors and organizations cannot be avoided as there is one or the other ICT component that is being used in every organization in the current era. Information and data are the two essential components that are associated with ICT which make up for the prime assets for any organization. Apple came up with filing of a lawsuit against Samsung as it charged the company of copying its patented features. Samsung in return did not accept the charges that were levied by Apple and accused the organization of copying its features. The charges that were being claimed by both the parties were a clear violation of the Intellectual Property. Since, the acts that were done by Samsungs as well as Apple did not adhere to the ethical principles as defined under any of the ethical theories; the entire activity is termed and evaluated as ethically inaccurate and unacceptable. References Balakrishnan, A. (2016). Supreme Court sides with Samsung in Apple patent damages dispute. CNBC. Retrieved 3 May 2017, from https://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/06/supreme-court-rules-for-samsung-in-apple-patent-case.html Friend, C. (2017). Social Contract Theory | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Iep.utm.edu. Retrieved 3 May 2017, from https://www.iep.utm.edu/soc-cont/ Grcic, J. (2013). Virtue Theory, Relativism and Survival. Retrieved 3 May 2017, from https://www.ijssh.org/papers/273-C10018.pdf Hursthouse, R. (2012). Virtue Ethics and Human Nature. Retrieved 3 May 2017, from https://www.humesociety.org/hs/issues/v25n1-2/hursthouse/hursthouse-v25n1-2.pdf Jacobson, D. (2008). Utilitarianism without Consequentialism: The Case of John Stuart Mill. Retrieved 3 May 2017, from https://www.pgrim.org/philosophersannual/pa28articles/jacobson.pdf Nill, M. (2015). Deontology. Retrieved 3 May 2017, from https://cw.routledge.com/ref/ethics/entries/deontology.pdf West, H. (2004). An Introduction to Mills Utilitarian Ethics. Retrieved 3 May 2017, from https://assets.cambridge.org/97805218/28321/sample/9780521828321ws.pdf