'Virtual' Morality: The Un/Acceptability of Hypothetical Scenarios in Second Life

As part of a larger study on the basis and meanings of moral values and practices in 3D social virtual worlds, we conduct in-depth face-to-face interviews with experienced Second Life (SL) residents to reflect on in-world morally charged scenarios. Our research goal is to gain understanding in how residents make sense of virtual moral practices and what they believe is un/acceptable in-world moral behaviour. To this aim, research participants are asked to rank twenty-eight hypothetical SL-scenarios in a classification from '(most) unacceptable' to '(most) acceptable' and, while doing so, to reason out loud about their ranking. In our analysis, we focus on research participants' converging and diverging arguments on the un/acceptability of the scenarios. Regarding converging arguments, there is consensus on the unacceptability of six scenarios. Research participants believe these scenarios are equally problematic in virtuality and in actuality. Furthermore, they agree on seven scenarios as acceptable. These scenarios are not considered as morally charged because they are typical features of SL and hence rooted in technology. Regarding other scenarios, no general consensus was reached. Our findings have ethical implications, especially with regard to moral responsibility.

ISBN:978-989-704-102-0

Jaar van publicatie:2012

Trefwoorden:Moral Imagination, Moral Reasoning, Applied Philosophy, Virtual Morality, Social Virtual Worlds, Second Life