Introduction
Computers are computing devices that are used in receiving, storing, transmitting, and retrieving information in a business. Computer application knowledge has become one of the best skills to acquire in the modern society.
Notably, computers are used in every sector for a variety of reasons. For example, gathering information, storing information that would be used for future reference, and making transactions in businesses. This paper assesses whether the application of computers in gathering information is good or bad.
Discussion
The utilization of computing devices in information gathering has a primarily good development in economics and business. According to Johnson (2011), utilitarianism rule states that a thing is good if it creates the highest value for the largest number of people. Computers have been used to gather information in organizations in a convenient way, reducing the time that would have been spent if a manual way had been used (Lane, 2004).
Nevertheless, their utilization in data acquisition has minimized errors that had been occurring because they are automatic. Data are computed with within the shortest period possible, increasing utility. Records about events would last longer when stored in computers than when they are kept in manual systems.
This implies that computer applications add value to human life, improving development. In addition, the application of computing devices in collection of data would enhance privacy in various sectors (Lane, 2004). They could gather information without an individual’s consent. As a result, people in an organization would be keen on what they would be doing to avoid being spied on by computers.
With regard to alteration of one’s behavior, gathering information through computers would promote good social interrelationships among companies, groups, and people. It is crucial to note that, due to fear of being spied on, people would do what would be right. Digital information has been used to come up with new products that are beneficial to society (Johnson, 2011).
For example, inventing new drugs that would be used to save lives is a brilliant idea. God Himself gave this duty when He commanded human beings to protect life. Therefore, from the evidence above, it can be said that the use of computers in collecting information has many merits.
On the other hand, it would be correct to say that application of computers in gathering information has led to negative impacts in firms. Kant argues that for something to be good, it must conform to the morality of the society where that act is being practiced. The application is contrary to this philosophy. Computing devices infringe on human rights, which are basic for survival (Arnold, Beauchamp & Bowie, 2012).
The right to expression is violated because citizens do not express themselves freely due to the fear of being spied on in the workplace. Moreover, people have used data stored in devices to sue individuals (Arnold et al., 2012). This is morally wrong because every citizen has a right to privacy and no one should access another person’s information without his or her consent.
Although drugs are invented through digital computers, accessing them is not easy because they are expensive to purchase and only rich people can afford them. This would mean that citizens would continue losing their lives, which would be against moral principles of fairness in which there should be equal treatment to all people (Johnson, 2011).
Conclusion
Basing our argument on utilitarianism and Kantian arguments, it would be vital to indicate that gathering of information using computers has both good and bad developments. For example, large volumes and different types of data are stored using computers. On the other hand, those who access personal information of individuals without their consent abuse their rights.
References
Arnold, D. G., Beauchamp, T. L., & Bowie, N. (2012). Ethical Theory and Business. New York, NY: Pearson Higher Ed.
Johnson, D. G. (2011). Ethics online. Communications of the ACM, 40(1), 60-65.
Lane, F. (2012). The Naked Employee: How technology is compromising workplace privacy. New York, NY: AMACOM.