COM 354 (10/11)

New Media Ethics

Why digital media ethics? – To make the right choice of two or more

possible actions . . . – To do the right thing for ourselves and

for larger communities . . . – using judgement in deciding and

applying frameworks best suited to particular dilemmas . . .– taking into account the characteristics of

digital media

characteristics of digital media• bits easily manipulated, reproducible

• instantaneous

• enduring

• global

What we do in digital media ethics

-Apply ethical frameworks in response to digital dilemmas.

OUTLINE

I. Paper Presentations: Digital Dilemmas

II. Virtues of virtual reality

III. Formulating ethical dilemmas (workshop)

–A. Great Firewall of China

–B. Facebook's new changes

HWK: TBA (10/18)

OUTLINE

I. Paper Presentations: Digital Dilemmas

II. Virtues of virtual reality and games

III. Formulating ethical dilemmas (workshop)

–A. Great Firewall of China

–B. Facebook's new changes

HWK: TBA (10/18)

Feminist ethics of care (recap)• Emotive dimensions of an ethical

problem

• Emotional response necessary when formulating a response to ethical problems

• Problems are ethical if they involve a web of personal relationships (not simply individuals with individual rights)

• both/and ways of responding to ethical problems rather than either/or

Virtue ethics (recap)phronesis (Aristotle's idea) of practical wisdom

•develop the capacity for judgement

•achieve 'eudaimonia' – happiness, well-being, contentment

•achieve autonomy as self-responsible human beings (less likely to follow the dictates of others).

Applying virtue ethics•How might a particular technology foster or hinder habits of excellence?

– (needed for a life of contentment)

– e.g. video games

Confucian ethics• Cultivating the behaviors and attitudes

to establish harmony (resonant relationships)

• Community

• Larger order

• The exemplary person

•Modesty and integrity

Virtues of virtual reality • Watch: http://to.pbs.org/dyuOI8

How does VR:

-foster habits of excellence?

-cultivate behaviors and attitudes to establish harmony?

-nurture human relationships?

ft

Formulating Digital dilemma #1Read 'Liu Xiaobo and the Great FireWall of

China'* here: http://bit.ly/c6TnrW

– Formulate an ethical question from the reading . . .

• Recognizing possible ethical responses

• Properties of digital media

background reading*

Formulating Digital Dilemma #2Read 'Impersonate Eric Schmidt Online Now

Before It Becomes a Crime'

here: http://bit.ly/dqQ0qM

– Formulate an ethical question from the reading . . .

• Recognizing possible ethical responses

• Properties of digital media

background reading*

HWK (Due Monday 10/18)

TBA