Virtual Morality

Any thoughts on if and where a line can be drawn on what is morally acceptable in a virtual world? Or more to the point, whether there is a point where engaging in immorality in a virtual world implies immorality in the real world?

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There is apparently a game called Manhunt which takes the violence concept further. It s rated Adults Only. It gets close to what I mention in the video, but not quite:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUgq-qoH7qw

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• video
• game
• violence
• morality
• virtual

[wicky615]

I believe that no amount of virtual rape, violence, torture, or otherwise will turn a person with no mental defects into a rapist or murderer. I have personally sought out and taken a look at some of these games, and I can honestly say that while they may be tasteless, they are by no means controlling the minds of people with a good, solid concept of reality and even a basic idea of right and wrong.

[pfarabee]

I absolutely agree. If I were to stumble on such a game or simulation, I would take a look out of sheer curiousity. I enjoy uncovering the bizarre, and am not usually shocked by it.

My personal prediction would be that a realistic simulation would curb the violent tendencies of the criminally insane, though I don't think it would be responsible to test the theory, as it could just as easily have the reverse effect, and any increase in those tendencies would be the fault of the experiment.

[machisendai]

Excellent questions. Here's another one to ponder: what is there about people who consider it entertaining to perform unthinkable acts in a virtual world--things they wouldn't dare to do in real life? If a sound and stable person, as you say, finds the virtual raping of a 12-yr-old and then forcing her to have an abortion to be fun, just how sound and stable is a person who finds that fun?

[pfarabee]

Again, it falls back to the difference between fantasy and reality, and the ability of the participant to make that distinction.

I would say that someone who enjoys such a depraved act in a virtual world may have some very dark fantasies that they need to keep a close eye on.

What i can't say for sure is how the indulgence of those fantasies in a virtual world would affect the person, as there are no cases to study for statistics on such a thing.

[pfarabee]

Would a serial rapist presented with a simulation where they could torture people and view realistic trauma of their victims be more or less likely to commit that act on real people after fulfilling their fantasy and gaining their release virtually?

I honestly can't say what would happen, and don't think there are many, if any, willing to risk the "more likely" in hopes of striking on the "less likely"

That could be the underlying reason why such simulations are shunned in virtual worlds.

[FTWyousuck]

stop being a politician, man you keep shadow boxing as to which immoral acts are totally wrong in any aspect, whether they be deemed virtual fantasy or real world simulated or defined.

child porn and rape is not acceptable in any video game nor real life scenario. period.

you sound twisted and confused and disturbed.

please never put on a Santa Claus suit during Christmas

TYIA

[pfarabee]

Congratulations on completely missing the point, especially a point so simple to grasp, even a child could get it (pardon the pun)

Our society punishes murder much more severely than rape or child abuse, yet, somehow, we murder people left right and center in video games without batting an eye, and the thought of rape or smacking a kid in a game is horrifying?

Am I Twisted? Disturbed? Confused? Sure, I suppose I am.

As for the Santa Clause comment: Go fuck yourself.

[theReasonists]

The only line is what others will make of it. The sky should be the limit in virtual worlds...but that is just not the world that we live in. The people w/o imagination will always crush this. Unfortunately, they (often) happen to run the world (or at least the U.S.) at the moment. To paraphrase Ice T: Freedom of Speech...just watch what you say. It's religious zealots that will never be on the side of this kind of total freedom. It doesn't work with their faith.

[fromstart2finish]

You look like the guy from the Hangover :D

[PLEDGER20]

who cares murder rape why would for one you make it why would you play it. Next time you play it imagine your sister or mothers face on the game then see it you think it's just a game. and game do affect play that's why you have people rubbing one out to anime porn fucking cartoon porn I don't believe this crap

[PLEDGER20]

fun, cause if you could get away with you would right cause you think it first people that play games all day are sad. Go out side excerise gett a life not a fake one because you depressed get undepress find what you like about yourself. A mission wow you bet a game wow yeah you just helped the world no you didn't your still depressed ready to jump at any min because your trying to fill a void with a game avatar that's not really you

[zarahFO]

Killing is legal in our world (otherwise you wouldn't be able to commit a war crime). Rape never is. So putting a player in a position where s/he can choose to rape is highly questionable even when talking hypothetically without any specific examples to analyse.

[zarahFO]

Do we make theatre/film that represents rape? Yes. But it must always be presented within the context of a narrative that morally positions the viewer into viewing this act as a negative thing.

Question: do Virtual Worlds position the viewer responsibly?

Answer: Depends on the game.

So to answer my original question: Can rape be acceptable in a Virtual World/Gaming environment? Yes and no the line exists between those who responsibly position the viewer and those who do not. [continued]

[zarahFO]

I believe that there IS a line and that line is not simply the divide between the real and the virtual.

Example: Can rape be acceptable in a Virtual World/Gaming environment?

A VW is essentially social. It is not an interaction between one person and a machine.

Lets take theatre or film as an example. What is represented is not real. There is more than one person involved in the event making it social (audience/actors). [continued]

[TheSpazzofMuffins]

My brother is borrowing The Godfather: Black Hand, I'm half way through.

In your safe house, there are 2 hookers in a side room. I kill them. I take out the Tommy Gun and shoot them. And I snicker to myself as they scream "You mean bastard!"

But when you take over you're first compound The cutscene just leaves you in the room with the enemy. He says "Please dont kill me, please. I have kids. Little kids."

And I shot him in the face. Turned off the TV and cried.

I know fantasy from reality.

[theReasonists]

PLUS and this is a big plus...support groups for victims of murder or rape will never see the entertainment value of such freedom of thought. Their ego is in the equation once they have been offended against...and as a result, in their eyes, you will ALWAYS be taking the side of the criminal that offended them by defending a game like this. I don't blame them for that...I think that is where the reasonable line is drawn as opposed to just not agreeing because "god" would frown upon it.

r.

[0000infinity0000]

i play GTA:SA, yet i dont feel the urge to go out and murder hookers and shoot pedestrians.

me wonders why...