Marcus Schulzke
Abstract
The effect of violent video games is among the most widely discussed topics in media studies, and for good reason. These games are immensely popular, but many seem morally objectionable. Critics attack them for a number of reasons ranging from their capacity to teach players weapons skills to their ability to directly cause violent actions. This essay shows that many of these criticisms are misguided. Theoretical and empirical arguments against violent video games often suffer from a number of significant shortcomings that make them ineffective. This essay argues that video games are defensible from the perspective of Kantian, Aristotelian, and utilitarian moral theories.
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Index Terms
- Defending the morality of violent video games
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Reviews
G. Smith
Schulzke reviews major perspectives-Kantian, Aristotelian, and utilitarian moral theories-to argue that criticism of violent video games is misguided. Schulzke contends that these moral theories do not support the negative appraisal of violent video games. He points out that a body of evidence is emerging that demonstrates just the opposite: violent games are a positive outlet. "Violent games are not immoral on Kantian, Aristotelian, or utilitarian grounds, except in some limited circumstances," which he demonstrates. Kant's dictum to "act in accordance with a maxim that can at the same time make itself a universal law" is instructive in that Kant's principle cannot realistically be applied to virtual entities. According to Schulzke, Aristotle thought "games [were] good or bad to the extent that they provide[d] players with meaningful moral simulations that [could] improve their decision making" or help them learn virtue. Likewise, the utilitarian can argue persuasively that games elicit pleasure. Schulzke is forced to weaken his conclusion in favor of arguing only for the "moral status of video games." He had hoped to show how critiques of violent video games are misplaced. In the second part of the essay, he considers "empirical work critical of violent games." Schulzke is more convincing here since there is no causal relationship between violent games and antisocial behavior. Online Computing Reviews Service
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