Conceptual Muddle

Question #18

Think of your own example of a ‘conceptual muddle’. Explain your example.

An example of a ‘conceptual muddle’ is the use of ‘atomic bomb’ against Japan by the US during the 2^nd world war. Conceptual muddle principles implies practical dilemma, problems; which implied that if we do not know what we are dealing with, we do not know which rules or principles we should be apply. In the example of the atomic bomb, it is true that the Japanese attacked the US’s Pear Harbor, destroyed their fleet and struck other US bases. It is also a fact that the US was very interested in stopping the Soviet by all means, and it was a fact that the US wanted to test their atomic bomb to put fear into the mind of their enemies and proof that they are the strongest, technologically, militarily and more superior in the whole world, without knowing the overall consequences. The US also gave the reason of wanting to save lives; hence they used the atomic bomb against a nation, who was already finding ways of making peace. The President of the United States then also gave reason of the casualty estimate of death given to him that made him use the atomic despite some disagreement with his cabinet to find alternative option instead of using the bomb. So in the above scenario, one can find a conceptual muddle of using atomic bomb prevent the US from using the conventional means to win the war, instead they used the atomic bomb to destroyed millions of civilians. Conceptual muddle here explains why the atomic bomb was used without even informing the Japanese of their intention to use it.

Question #19:

After reading the Machado case, what are your thoughts on our responsibilities as ‘online citizens?

After reading the Machado case, I have a strong thought and believe that online citizens do not understand their online responsibilities. It is our responsibilities to recognize that any unlawful content on the Internet lies with the person who put it there. Our responsibilities call for vigilance, we must be vigilant to identify any unlawful and illegal online contents and reports immediately to the appropriate authorities concerned. Many of us do nothing when we found something on the Internet that we thought was illegal and this will not help in combating this hate crime. What we do is delete the content without doing anything about it.

Jessica Hendrie-Liano, Chair of the Internet Services Providers Association (ISPA) said “The law recognizes those that post words, image, audio and video files – whether on websites, discussion forums or even using email – as having the same responsibility as publishers. Internet users must understand that they bear responsibility for the content they place online.” This is what Machado did not realize.

Above all, it is our responsibility not to harm other people with the use of Internet, we should not interfere with the life of other people with the use of Internet, we should not steal the joy and happiness of others, we should always think about the social consequences of the use of Internet, and the ethical implications, and we should always use the Internet in a way that insure consideration and respect for our fellow human beings.