1. Virtual Reality: Redefining Humanity
Danielle McLean
Mentor: Prof. Laureen Park, Ph.D., Social Science Department, CUNY City Tech
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Abstract
Methodology
Methodology
Results
Humanity commonly refers to the human race but also the characteristics shared by all human beings. To be human, biologically, is to simply resemble that of the human species. But besides the biological make-up, to be human is having the desire to achieve happiness.
This poster presents the outcome of my reflections and research in the terms of what I believe to be the most important quality of humanity by depicting what it means to be human in a virtual world.
The method used in order to understand and visualize this theory was creating a virtual environment that would allow the avatar to see and explore the world the way humans do in real life.
Within this virtual environment, one could visualize how the avatar achieves happiness through their actions in relations to virtue.
The next step is using Unity, a game developing platform, to create your environment.
Although these scenarios have not occurred, I can give the outcome if it did happen. If these two scenarios were to occur in this virtual reality, then they would display the virtues of courage and friendliness that makes up the moral character of the avatar who achieves happiness displayed by their actions.
What is Happiness?
“Every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and pursuit, is thought to aim at some good; and for this reason, the good has rightly been declared to be that at which all things aim” (Aristotle)
According to Aristotle's book, Nicomachean Ethics: Book 1, he defines this idea of good as happiness which is deemed as the highest quality that is desirable by human beings. For Aristotle, happiness is the main purpose and goal in a human’s life.
A peaceful environment was created that resembled what happiness might look like.
Within the environment scenarios would be created that would force the avatar to act on to achieve happiness.
Conclusions
Happiness is not necessarily a state of mind but the way of living or how someone chooses to live their life based on their actions. It is simply the exercise of virtue which can not be taught but learned as one goes on through life until death. To understand this characteristic is to understand the nature of what it means to be human
The first step is creating an avatar character that resembles your physical entity in the real world.
The website used to create this character was
Through the website, you can adjust your facial features and body image as well as choosing the clothes that fits your style.
References
Aristotle. “Nicomachean Ethics .” The Internet Classics Archive | On Airs, Waters, and Places by Hippocrates, 350BCE, classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/nicomachaen.1.i.html.
Achieving Happiness
“We state the function of man to be a certain kind of life, and this to be an activity or actions of the soul implying a rational principle” (Aristotle)
In order to achieve happiness, Aristotle mentions the rational side of a human soul that acts in accordance to virtue which then helps a righteous person control their impulses.
Two scenarios that would allow the avatar to achieve happiness would be:
Rescuing an individual drowning in the lake
2. Helping an individual who is lost in the woods find their way to safety