Defend Facebook (that is, argue that it is ultimately a “good company”) from a utilitarian point of view

Exam Prompt

Please answer each of the following two questions (or directives, as the case may be) in 2-3 pages each (you may disregard the syllabus’ instructions, which stipulate 3-4 pages). Please answer each question separately, and make sure that the formatting guidelines conform to the syllabus. You do not need to submit a works cited page, but please cite any outside sources you use to provide evidence for your claims regarding Facebook in some minimally accessible way. You may of course consult whatever sources you like on either Kantian or utilitarian philosophy, but you may not cite these sources in arguing your position – you must make these arguments yourself.

1.     
Defend Facebook (that is, argue that it is ultimately a “good company”) from a utilitarian point of view. Be sure to define utilitarianism before you begin applying it to Facebook!

2.     
Attack Facebook (that is, argue that is it ultimately a “bad company”) from a Kantian point of view. Once again, be sure to explain in full what the categorical imperative means before you launch into your invective against Facebook!

Remember that you must bring a hardcopy of your first, full draft of the midterm to class on Wednesday. We will then workshop them together, I will give your draft a quiz grade, and then you will submit a final draft the following Monday, in class.  So the due dates are as follows: