Are Whistleblowers Heroes or Traitors?
Meeting Was Held On -
Wednesday, May 1, 2019 12:03 PM
Well, it depends! (great to be a humanist)
If a person is righting a wrong, a hurtful reality authority does not want known, then whistleblowers are heroes. They are demonstrating bravery, often risking their employment, safety, their very freedom, to let others know what a company or government would rather we didn’t know.
But if a whistleblower is exposing others to danger (legitimate National Security issues, spies, military troupes, people in witness protection, etc.) that is not heroic.
People weren’t sure that Assange was acting in good faith. Were his motivations honourable? He demonstrated poor judgement in his private life (accusations of sexual misconduct). Could that taint his judgement in general? We talked about the different traits within the same person, wise in some areas of their lives, and immoral in others.
We also talked about when a behaviour legal but unethical (the actions of some corporations.) Similarly this issue covers behaviours that are ethical but illegal. (Having signed a non-disclosure agreement and feeling morally compelled to speak out- ex. Drug testing realities, etc.)
Needless to say, this is a complicated and fascinating reality, one which is very topical.