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Is it ever morally wrong to enjoy fantasizing about immoral things? Many video games allow players to commit numerous violent and immoral acts. But, should players worry about the morality of their virtual actions? A common argument is that games offer merely the virtual representation of violence. No one is actually harmed by committing a violent act in a game. So, it cannot be morally wrong to perform such acts. While this is an intuitive argument, it does not resolve the issue.
Focusing on why individual players are motivated to entertain immoral and violent fantasies, Video Games, Violence, and the Ethics of Fantasy advances debates about the ethical criticism of art, not only by shining light on the interesting and under-examined case of virtual fantasies, but also by its novel application of a virtue ethical account. Video games are works of fiction that enable players to entertain a fantasy. So, a full understanding of the ethical criticism of video games must focus attention on why individual players are motivated to entertain immoral and violent fantasies.
Video Games, Violence, and the Ethics of Fantasyengages with debates and critical discussions of games in both the popular media and recent work in philosophy, psychology, media studies, and game studies.
List of contents
1. Introduction: The Problem of Virtual Ethics
2. Amoralist Avoidance Strategies: Fiction and Games
3. Virtual Ethics and Virtue Ethics
4. Free Will, Motivation, and the Limits of Moral Criticism
5. Virtual Immoral Fantasies
6. Virtue Ethics on the Gamer's Dilemma
7. Criticizing Games
Bibliography
Index
About the author
Christopher Bartel is Professor of Philosophy at Appalachian State University, USA.
Summary
Is it ever morally wrong to enjoy fantasizing about immoral things? Many video games allow players to commit numerous violent and immoral acts. But, should players worry about the morality of their virtual actions? A common argument is that games offer merely the virtual representation of violence. No one is actually harmed by committing a violent act in a game. So, it cannot be morally wrong to perform such acts. While this is an intuitive argument, it does not resolve the issue.
Focusing on why individual players are motivated to entertain immoral and violent fantasies, Video Games, Violence, and the Ethics of Fantasy advances debates about the ethical criticism of art, not only by shining light on the interesting and under-examined case of virtual fantasies, but also by its novel application of a virtue ethical account. Video games are works of fiction that enable players to entertain a fantasy. So, a full understanding of the ethical criticism of video games must focus attention on why individual players are motivated to entertain immoral and violent fantasies.
Video Games, Violence, and the Ethics of Fantasy engages with debates and critical discussions of games in both the popular media and recent work in philosophy, psychology, media studies, and game studies.
Additional text
Christopher Bartel has written a very accessible book, which is a worthwhile read for both ethicists interested in the ethical dimensions of virtual violent actions, as well as for scholars coming from game studies interested in the philosophy of video games. The approachable argumentation and easily application ideas in the book will also support those who want to engage in uncomfortable debates in a game industry that is unfortunately still unequal and at times hostile towards minorities.
