Virtual Reality, Empathy and Ethics

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xi

   PDF

2. Virtual Reality

   • Matthew Cotton

   Pages 1-22

3. The Ethical Dimensions of Virtual Reality

   • Matthew Cotton

   Pages 23-41

4. Technology Governance and Ethics

   • Matthew Cotton

   Pages 43-69

5. Empathy and Ethics

   • Matthew Cotton

   Pages 71-91

6. Virtual Reality as Ethical Tool

   • Matthew Cotton

   Pages 93-112

7. Developing a Virtual Reality Ethical Tool

   • Matthew Cotton

   Pages 113-124

8. Back Matter

   Pages 125-153

   PDF

This book examines the ethics of virtual reality (VR) technologies. New forms of virtual reality are emerging in society, not just from low-cost gaming headsets, or augmented reality apps on phones, but from simulated “deep fake” images and videos on social media. This book subjects the new VR technological landscape to ethical scrutiny: assessing the benefits, risks and regulatory practices that shape it. Though often associated with gaming, education and therapy, VR can also be used for moral enhancement. Journalists, artists, philanthropic and non-governmental organisations are using VR films, games and installations to stimulate user empathy to marginalised peoples through a combination of immersion, embodiment and persuasion. This book critically assesses the use of VR for empathy arousal and pro-social behaviour change, culminating in the development of a VR “ethical tool” – a device to facilitate reflective ethical judgement. Drawing upon the pragmatist philosophy of John Dewey, virtual reality is reshaped as “dramatic rehearsal”. This book explains how a combination of immersive environment-building, moral imagination, choice architecture and reflective engagement can stimulate a future-focused and empathic ethics for users of the technology. 

• Bioethics
• medical ethics
• virtual reality
• augmented reality
• mixed reality

• School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Law, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK

  Matthew Cotton

Matthew Cotton is Professor of Public Policy in the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Law at Teesside University, UK. His research focuses upon technology policy, ethics and justice – emphasising the role of public engagement with science and technology governance and its role in producing fair outcomes for marginalised groups.

Policies and ethics