case study on Edward Snowden

case study on Edward Snowden

Introduction

After analyzing the case study on Edward Snowden, the researcher has realized that Snowden’s disclosure of private documents had a significant impact on the Canadian Securities law. According to the opinions of many legal experts, it is evident that his actions violated the Espionage Act of 1917 (Greenwald, 2014, p. 1). Snowden has thus, been subjected to the breaking of the law since he provided various reporters at the Guardian and NSA programs with information that caused the public to know that they were subjected to government surveillance. In turn, NSA responded, stating that the traffic records were collected with the aim of identifying links of various terrorist activities.

Ethical Issues and Implications

From the Kantian perspective, Snowden violated a perfect moral duty through his actions. However, from the same perspective, the American government was wrong since the Kantian ethics opposes against using people as a means to an end (Robert, and Adam, 2016). It was equally unethical for the government to hide from the citizens the activities they were carrying out with regard to citizen information to promote national security. With this understanding, it is unethical to surrender the confidentiality and privacy of citizens for reasons of national security.

According to Kantian ethics, certain actions such as robbery, murder, and deceit are prohibited even in circumstances when such actions cause more contentment than the alternative. In his theory, Kant encourages people to ask questions that fall under the three formulations of categorical imperative – the formulation of nature, humanity, and autonomy – before taking any action (White, 2011, p. 19). From this perspective, it is evident that Snowden’s actions violated a moral duty, although his actions caused more contentment than the alternative.

On the other hand, the consequentialist theory – a normative ethical theory – is founded on the belief that the consequence of an individual’s deed is the ultimate foundation of any judgment about the wrongness or rightness of their conduct. A consequentialist assumes that a morally upright act is one that produces the most desirable consequence or outcome. The moral rightness of an act depends on the implications of that act. The implications of Snowden’s result in the desired consequences of informing the public of the violation of privacy.

Actions Taken

It is challenging to proclaim a clear resolution on the case since the vulnerable consequences and theories appear to characterize the existent dilemma between being ethical and legal. It is possible for the government to justify its legal action against Snowden for the gross violation of the Security of Information Act and the US Espionage Act. However, from a contemplative consequentialism ethical perspective, it is right to defend Snowden since his acts provide benefits that outweigh the jurisdictive and diplomatic costs.

In order to determine the existent dilemma between ethical transitioning and normative facts, it is most reasonable to apply the if-then statements. According to Kantian hypothetical imperative, it is difficult for NSA to protect the rights of private property if the society increased its living standards (Greenwald, 2014, p. 1). In such circumstances, government surveillance should not exist in that privacy could be valued by individuals. It is thus appropriate to stop any surveillance that intervenes individual privacy to restrict the government from interfering with individual privacy.

However, the actions by NSA were undertaken for the greater good of society to protect them from terrorist activities. In both instances, the parties have used the best interest of the public as a veil to shift from the attention of breaking the law.

Best Action

From the altruistic perspective, there is no desirable action that can resolve the identified ethical dilemma due to its subjective nature. In this case, the government should be encouraged to adopt advanced surveillance programs to promote security with the knowledge of the citizens. The government should strengthen its Anti-terrorism legislation and terrorist activities in order to mitigate security hazards prior to terrorist activities. This is necessary since national treason cannot be prevented through extreme surveillance of citizens.