Graduation Year
2025
Date of Submission
12-2024
Document Type
Open Access Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Philosophy
Reader 1
Gabbrielle Johnson
Terms of Use & License Information
Rights Information
© 2024 Dara Schoolcraft
Abstract
In this thesis I explore the dynamics of responsibility in the context of terms and conditions agreements between corporations and consumers. I begin by highlighting how the burden of understanding terms and conditions has been shifted onto consumers and examine real-world conflicts arising from this shift, such as the wrongful death lawsuit involving Disney and data-sharing practices by General Motors. I argue that consumer responsibility, rooted in Kant’s Categorical Imperative, is not a reasonable solution due to barriers like low literacy levels and information asymmetry. Instead, I advocate for a corporate-centered approach, emphasizing the ethical duty of corporations to ensure clarity, transparency, and accurate uptake of terms by consumers. This model not only mitigates informational power imbalances but also aligns with Kant’s theory and enhances consumer agency by freeing individuals to make autonomous choices. Addressing objections of paternalism, I argue that corporate responsibility respects and empowers consumer autonomy. This framework underscores the necessity of redefining responsibility as the evolution of technology continues to push the need to understand terms and conditions agreements onto consumers.
Recommended Citation
Schoolcraft, Dara, "Terms, Conditions, and Responsibility: Who is Responsible?" (2025). CMC Senior Theses. 3767.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/3767
