Facebook has recently taken the initiative to build new energy efficient servers and data centers in a new facility based out of Oregon. They will be more energy efficient in that they are removing large chillers that consume about half of a typical data center’s energy. Rather than using these large chillers, they are using evaporative cooling, which mixes water with incoming air to cool down the data center.
Perhaps the best part of this initiative is that their designs and innovations for this initiative are being left open for others to study and adopt. I feel that this is representative of utilitarianism, which can be described by looking to ethical theories.
Ethical theories fall into two distinct categories, those that deal with conduct of leaders’ actions, and those that are concerned with character, or who the leader is as a person. Those that deal with conduct are then split into two categories, as well: teleological theories, those that stress consequences of leaders’ actions, and deontological theories, which emphasize the duty or rules which direct their actions.
Teleological theories are broken down even further into three approaches: ethical egoism, utilitarianism, and altruism. Ethical egoism is representative of a leader who acts so as to create the greatest good for themselves. Utilitarianism is representative of a leader who acts so as to create the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Lastly, altruism is representative of a leader who acts so as to create the greatest good for other people.
Teleological theories are broken down even further into three approaches: ethical egoism, utilitarianism, and altruism. Ethical egoism is representative of a leader who acts so as to create the greatest good for themselves. Utilitarianism is representative of a leader who acts so as to create the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Lastly, altruism is representative of a leader who acts so as to create the greatest good for other people.
Because Facebook has chosen to keep their designs and innovations open to other companies, they are allowing for more sustainable business practices world-wide among other Internet and IT organizations. This falls perfectly in line with utilitarianism as they designed it for themselves, thus benefiting from the design; yet, they are allowing others to use said design, thus benefiting other organizations.
What do you think? Is this a utilitarian act? Can you make the case that this is representative of altruism?
You can see the article here.
Posted by: Michael Condupa
I think is is definitely a utilitarian act. They are supporting the greater good.
ReplyDeletePosted by Samantha Wilson
I believe this act can almost be represented by both utilitarianism and altruism. While Facebook is encouraging others to follow their model and also engage in envirnomentally friendly acts, Facebook has no obligation to do so. Therefore, Facebook is representing altruism and reflecting their concern for the best interest of others. While social responsibility is extremely influential for a large company like Facebook, they are not being forced to save energy. They are choosing to do so as an act of kindness and moral ethics, which is positively reflected by the success of their company.
ReplyDeletePosted By: Christine Burklin