Yes, I would accept a job at Facebook. The main reason is that its positive impact and potential for change outweigh its ethical shortcomings. As the article Working for Ethically Complicated Organizations argued, the question is not whether an organization has flaws—because nearly all do—but “how close does the stink get to my office?” That framework helps me think about Facebook more carefully.
Not All Business Is Tied to Ethical Problems
The Facebook Papers revealed serious issues, such as inconsistent rules for high-profile accounts like Donald Trump and failures to stop harmful content in Myanmar and Ethiopia. These are troubling, and they raise the same questions of responsibility we saw in the Harvard Psilocybin Project: who is complicit, and to what degree? But, just as not everyone in that project was equally guilty, not all employees at Facebook are directly tied to these harmful practices. Many positions—like those in privacy protection, accessibility, or global infrastructure—are quite distant from the core controversies. That makes it easier to justify joining.
Positive Impact Can Outweigh Negative Effects
Facebook’s platforms also produce real social good. WhatsApp helps small businesses in developing countries grow; Instagram gives artists and activists a way to share their voices worldwide. These examples reflect what the article emphasized: ethical evaluation is about balance. A company may have objectionable practices, but it can also generate meaningful benefits. When I weigh the two, I believe the scale of positive impact—reaching billions of users—tips toward joining rather than rejecting the organization outright.
Change Requires Fresh Blood Inside the Company
Finally, as the article suggested, one reason to work for an ethically complicated company is to try to change it from within. After the January 6 Capitol riot, it was employees who raised alarms internally about misinformation, even if leadership responded slowly. That shows employee voices can matter. And without new blood—people motivated to bring ethical awareness—Facebook is unlikely to improve. Joining gives me the chance to help redirect such a powerful platform toward more responsible practices
