Eagan 2015
Documented Essay (Keizer Essay)
Keizer explores the concept of privacy from a layman’s perspective. Despite conceding that
attempting to establish a core definition of privacy can be problematic, Keizer does so anyway
by grounding his definition “in a creaturely resistance to be exploited against one’s will” (20).
In his conclusion, he sums up the scope of his book, Privacy: “I have located its basis in the
bodily integrity of human beings and in their spiritual needs. I have defined it in terms of
resistance to exploitation. I have argued, as have many before me, that it is essential to a
democracy. I have suggested that it might be placed on an even stronger footing in a more social
democracy. At the end of the day, however, privacy may amount to little more and rest on no
firmer basis than the promises we make to one another” (154).
For your essay, you need to explore your research paper topic in light of Keizer’s book. In
what ways does Privacy illuminate aspects of your topic? What concepts, solutions, or
definitions from Keizer’s book prove problematic for your topic? What would Keizer have
to say about your topic and how would he approach it? For example, Keizer argues that
violations in privacy can also perpetuate economic inequality. Turning people into commodities
(through data mining) to be traded and sold can potentially create categories in which some of us
are more valuable than others, which can lead to societal and individual harms. If privacy
protections are not in place to prevent this stratification, more inequality could potentially occur.
Here are some concepts to think about though they are not exhaustive:
+Class/Economic inequality
+Privacy as essential to human dignity
+Resistance to exploitation
+Privacy violations affecting marginalized groups
+Privacy in a capitalist vs. socialist society
+Privacy as choice
Essay Requirements:
-- 3 pages minimum of content and works cited page (works cited doesn’t count as
part of the four pages)
-- MLA format
-- Sources
-- Minimum of 2 secondary scholarly sources (book or academic journal)
from the CSUB Library electronic database or
-- Privacy by Garret Keizer
-- Be sure to include at least one quotation from each source to support your
original claim
Due Date:
___________: Bring a FULL rough draft of your essay for peer review.
___________: Final draft is due at beginning of class IMPORTANT: You must submit your
rough draft, peer review materials, and final draft together. Your grade on your paper will be
reduced without all required materials.
Eagan 2015
List of Topics and Relevant Keizer Chapters
*This list is not exhaustive
Consumer Affairs
Chapter 2, 3, 5, 9, 10
Government and Security
Chapters 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Public Figures
Chapter 3, 4, 5, 6, 15,
Social Networks
Chapters 3, 6, 10, 13, 14, 15, 17
Surveillance Drones
Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6, 15
Web Searches
Chapters 3, 5, 10, 15
Biometrics
Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6, 15, 16
Medicine
Chapters 3, 6, 9, 10, 12,
Ways you can use Keizer’s book in your essay.
1.) You could examine the difficult nature of defining privacy and how that creates
problems/harms in your focus area
2.) You could analyze the relationship between the government and privacy
3.) You could analyze the privacy inequalities power and social class creates (how people with
more or less power enjoy more or less privacy and the potential violations of their civil liberties).
4.) You could look at the cultural/societal perception of privacy as an outdated concept.
5.) You could apply Keizer’s views on technology and the consequences for privacy.
6.) You could come up with something original on your own or use a combination of some of
these suggestions above.