Cyberpiracy and Morality: Some Utilitarian and Deontological Challenges Cover Image

Sajberpiraterija i moralnost: Dovođenje u pitanje utilitarističke i deontološke argumentacije
Cyberpiracy and Morality: Some Utilitarian and Deontological Challenges

Author(s): Željko Mančić
Subject(s): Philosophy
Published by: Institut za filozofiju i društvenu teoriju
Keywords: cyberpiracy; Intellectual Property Rights; deontology; utilitaria- nism

Summary/Abstract: This paper analyses one of the main problems of our time in the world of Internet – cyberpiracy. It is often said that it is illega, since pirates who practice it violate certain domestic and international laws. When we ask for justifi- cation of this laws and their enforcement, philosophers and legalists usually apply to one of the two sorts of philosophical arguments – deontology and utilitarianism. The former think that piracy is immoral in itself, while the others argue it should be prevented, otherwise it will produce very bad consequences for society sooner or later, and thus diminish the overall happiness of the society. It will be shown, howe- ver, that both of these arguements, when closely considered, fail with their intention, and, if we decide to follow them, we actually arrive to the very opposite conclusion – piracy is justified.

  • Issue Year: 21/2010
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 103-117
  • Page Count: 17
  • Language: English