Social Convention and the Likelihood of Harm: Luck’s Initial Attempts at Resolving the Dilemma

Abstract

This chapter begins by discussing Morgan Luck’s initial attempt at resolving the gamer’s dilemma through an appeal to social convention, whereby we adopt a normative ethic based on societal norms. It challenges this view, through the use of Japanese manga (cartoon) imagery depicting what appear to be highly sexualized minors, by showing that not all societies prohibit virtual paedophilia, or would consider such imagery to be child pornography. Luck’s next argument is then appraised, which involves differentiating between virtual murder and virtual paedophilia based on the latter’s increased likelihood of leading to harm. Research looking at the effects of violent video games, as well as the relationship between child pornography and molestation, indicates that, at present, the reason for this differentiation cannot be empirically substantiated.