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Chapter 13 - Moral Education in and for Virtual Spaces

from Part III - Responses to Contemporary Moral Problems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2023

By
Rachel Siow Robertson  and
Matthew Kuan Johnson
Edited by
Douglas W. Yacek ,
Mark E. Jonas  and
Kevin H. Gary
Douglas W. Yacek
Affiliation:
Universität Dortmund
Mark E. Jonas
Affiliation:
Wheaton College, Illinois
Kevin H. Gary
Affiliation:
Valparaiso University, Indiana
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Summary

This chapter describes and expands upon virtue ethical and virtue theoretical approaches to moral education in and for virtual spaces. Building on existing claims that virtual spaces call for new kinds of virtues, we argue that structural constraints make risks and vices especially hard to overcome in these contexts. We organize these constraints around a threefold approach to integrity, according to how they hinder knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-unity. We then turn to positive recommendations for removing these barriers. We outline implications for end users by exploring the need for the development of the “burdened virtues”, applying ideas from Lisa Tessman. We also consider what it would look like for this kind of moral development to be supported by educators, policy-makers, and other leaders within the tech ecosystem. We suggest that the way forward will be to educate for and build spaces in which the online and offline worlds are drawn into closer alignment, supporting integrity in all its forms.

Keywords

Burdened virtuesintegrityvirtue ethicsvirtue theoryvirtualonlineeducation
Type
Chapter
Information
Moral Education in the 21st Century , pp. 231 - 259
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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