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Palgrave Macmillan

Ethics of Computer Gaming

A Groundwork

  • Book
  • © 2022

Overview

  • Basic conceptual clarification of a common, yet obscure phenomenon
  • Differentiated linking of action-, fiction- and moral-theoretical considerations
  • Introductory character to the ethics of computer games

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Table of contents (4 chapters)

Keywords

About this book

Despite the increasing number of gamers worldwide, the moral classification of computer gaming marks an as yet unsolved riddle of philosophical ethics. In view of the explosive nature of the topic in everyday life (as seen in various debates about rampages), it is obvious that a differentiated professional clarification of the phenomenon is needed: Can playing computer games be immoral?

To answer this question, the author first discusses what we do at all when we play computer games: What kind of action are we talking about? The second step is a moral classification that reveals whether (and if so, why) some cases of computer gaming are morally problematic. The considerations made here provide a fundamental insight into the normative dimension of computer gaming.

Samuel Ulbricht studied philosophy and German studies in Stuttgart, where he passed his first state examination. He completed his second state examination in Heidelberg. For his final thesison the ethics of computer gaming, he received the "Prize of the Friends of the University of Stuttgart". His current research focuses on normative differences in moral theories, problem areas in applied ethics, the aesthetics and ethics of computer games and the ethics of education and teaching. He currently works at the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz.

This book is a translation of the original German 1st edition Ethik des Computerspielens by Samuel Ulbricht, published by J.B. Metzler, an imprint of Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature in 2020. The translation was done with the help of artificial intelligence (machine translation by the service DeepL.com). A subsequent human revision was done primarily in terms of content, so that the book will read stylistically differently from a conventional translation. Springer Nature works continuously to further the development of tools for the production of books and onthe related technologies to support the authors.

Reviews

“The publication clearly contributes to the discourse in question and should certainly be read not only by students but also by educators involved in game studies. It may be a useful supplement to courses that deal with the ethical aspects of games, but it may also be of benefit to philosophers who wish to bring an up-to-date context to their studies or teaching.” (Magdaléna Švecová, Acta Ludologica, Vol. 5 (2), December, 2022)


“A major strength of Ethics of Computer Gaming is in the holistic nature of Ulbricht’s analysis … . This book will prove an interesting addition to researchers interested in the ethical implications of videogames, as its conclusions are not necessarily congruent with other theorists.” (RebeccaGrose, Press Start, press-start.gla.ac.uk, Vol. 9 (1), 2023)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Weinheim, Germany

    Samuel Ulbricht

About the author

Samuel Ulbricht studied philosophy and German as a teacher in Stuttgart, where he passed his first state examination with distinction. For his final thesis on the ethics of computer gaming, he received the "Prize of the Friends of the University of Stuttgart". His current research focuses on normative differences in moral theories, problem areas in applied ethics, and the aesthetics and ethics of computer games. He currently teaches German and ethics at the Liselotte-Gymnasium in Mannheim.


Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Ethics of Computer Gaming

  • Book Subtitle: A Groundwork

  • Authors: Samuel Ulbricht

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-64397-6

  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Berlin, Heidelberg

  • eBook Packages: Religion and Philosophy, Philosophy and Religion (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2022

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-662-64396-9Published: 03 January 2022

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-662-64397-6Published: 02 January 2022

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XVII, 111

  • Number of Illustrations: 14 b/w illustrations

  • Topics: Engineering Ethics, Popular Culture , Media and Communication

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