Posted: February 1st, 2014

What would be the deontologist (e.g. Kant) and the utilitarian (e.g. Mill) position regarding "Net Neutrality

NOTE: Please refer to Chapters 1-3 in the text for materials for this assignment, as well as the link in the left
hand menu titled “Resources.” In addition, you can also visit: www.savethenet.ca for relevant Canadian
information. Feel free to use additional external sources as you deem appropriate, but please remember to
cite all sources properly – including the textbook. There has been a significant amount of information posted
about this topic in main-stream media over the past few months. I would expect to see some of these
materials infused into this paper.
Cyber Ethics
Assignment #1
Essay

Read the following topic question and compose a 750-1000 word essay, using the assignment format that
has been provided. Marks will be allotted for the development of your thesis and proper use of English
grammar.

Topic: What would be the deontologist (e.g. Kant) and the utilitarian (e.g. Mill) position
regarding “Net Neutrality”? With which one do you agree? Why?

Discuss, in the form of a short essay (see below), how this particular situation relates to the ethical
frameworks we developed in our readings. You are encouraged to use additional resources (e.g. the link at
the left regarding Net Neutrality, saveournet.ca, journals, etc) to support your arguments. There is
significant contemporary discussion taking place on this topic due to the recent proposal by the ITU and
WCIT. With the exception of sources required to inform your knowledge regarding deontological and
utilitarian philosophies, you should strive to use sources that do not pre-date 2013 (of course, an exception
is always understandable if there is a landmark piece of research that needs to be included).

Please do not invest significant space within your paper explaining the two philosophical principles. You
should assume that the reader is sufficiently informed in these areas. Your focus should be the analysis of
the topic of net neutrality based on the lens of these philosophies. You should acknowledge how each
philosophy would approach net neutrality and then provide a detailed analysis of the approach that you align
with most.

Things to Help You with the Essay

Assignment Format:

Each assignment will be a short essay in response to the topic question. Essays should be written in a clear
and concise fashion, and follow APA Guidelines.
Assignment Marking Scheme:

I. Format (style, organization) – 20% (this includes APA formatting)
II. Clarity – 20%
III. Content – 60%, to be determined as follows:
a. Information – 30%
b. References/Support – 10% (A minimum of 4 sources which may include the textbook). Site
the sources properly for full credit.
c. Cyber-Ethics Scope -20%

Structure of a Formal Essay (GUIDELINE only)

I. Introduction
a. introduction to general topic engages reader
b. narrowing/focusing of topic
c. thesis: statement of position taken on topic establishes direction of paper

II. Body
a. Part 1
i. Topic sentence
1. supporting evidence
2. explanation/arguments about how evidence supports and develops
argument/idea stated in topic sentence
ii. Concluding sentence
1. summarizes key idea
2. links to next section
b. Part 2
i. Topic sentence
ii. Argument and Evidence
iii. Concluding sentence
c. Part 3
i. Topic sentence
ii. Argument and Evidence
iii. Concluding sentence

III. Conclusion
a. thesis restatement
b. broadening of topic
c. statement of importance and/or relevance
d. insightful closure