COM 354 (10/04) 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... – by using judgement in deciding and applying frameworks best suited to particular dilemmas... – while taking into account the characteristics of digital media

characteristics of digital media bits easily manipulated, reproducible instantaneous enduring global

Digital media ethics How to apply ethical approaches to the digital media realm.

OUTLINE paper assignment - dilemmas Feminist ethics – If Women had designed Facebook If Women had designed Facebook Virtue ethics Confucian African New Dilemmas – Cyberbullying – Applying ethical frameworks (workshop) HWK: TBD or TBA

Feminist ethics alternative view to both consequentialist (utilitarianism) and deontological theories (Kantian ethics) ethical caring has potential to be a more concrete evaluative model of moral dilemma, than an ethic of justice

Feminist ethics Carol Gilligan's challenge of Kohlberg's work

Kohlberg's model

Feminist ethics of care Gilligan found three differences in how women employ reason 1) Less concern with rules than with the feeling of being treated fairly 2) Emotive dimensions of an ethical problem 3) Problems are ethical if they involve a web of personal relationships (not simply individuals with individual rights)

Heinz dilemma A husband needs to get a life-saving medicine for his wife but can't afford the medicine. Pharmacist refuses to provide him with the medicine. Is the pharmacist justified?

Feminist ethics of care Rather than exclusive focus on general principles of justice and abstract rights Focus on possibilities and relationships in play Gilligan ultimately argues combining: 1) an ethics of principles, rules, and justice with 2) an ethics of care and responsibility for others

Contribution of ethics of care Recognition of the central role emotions play in ethical decision-making Ethical choices of what is good, evil, etc must be felt as much as rationally sorted out. Role of emotions a bridge between eastern and western views Help us think beyond either/or dualistic thinking toward both/logic

Limitations of ethics of care Although ethics of care reinforces our emotional bonds with one another... We risk restricting our ethical focus to too few people – Small circle of family, friends, loved ones

Applying an of ethics of care Designing Facebook

Virtue ethics phronesis (Aristotle's idea) of practical wisdom develop the capacity for judgement by pursuing our excellence as ethical and political beings To achieve 'eudaimonia' – happiness, well-being, contentment To 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 – cross-cultural communication

Confucian ethics: Peach pit vs. the onion We are relational beings (not individuals) Choices shaped by each specific relationship Relationships constitute layers Remove all layers – nothing left!

Confucian ethics Like virtue ethics Cultivating the behaviors and attitudes to establish harmony (resonant relationships) Community Larger order The exemplary person Modesty and integrity

Applying Confucian ethics Copyright and file sharing – Not a private right or matter of personal property – A gift to be given to others to share and become an exemplary person ft

African ethics Ubuntu – We are defined through our relationships (selfhood is not a isolated quality of rationality) – Interdependence – Individual belongs to the group – Purpose and activity of the community most important

Applied ethics: Digital dilemma #1 Read “The US wants to make it easier to wiretap the Internet” – What is the right course of action? utilitarianism deontology feminist ethics/ethics of care virtue ethics confucian ethics african ethics

Applied ethics: Digital dilemma #2 'Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act (COICA)''Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act (COICA)' Read news and analysisnewsanalysis – Would you support this bill? Why? utilitarianism deontology feminist ethics/ethics of care virtue ethics confucian ethics african ethics

Applied ethics: Digital dilemma #3 Tyler Clementi's suicide 'Is cyberbullying unique?'Is cyberbullying unique? And therefore requiring a unique solution? (Apply frameworks as needed) utilitarianism deontology feminist ethics/ethics of care virtue ethics confucian ethics african ethics

HWK (Due Monday 10/11) Comparative Ethics Paper – 5-6 pages due 10/11