Abstract
The history of humankind is full of examples that indicate a constant desire to make human beings more moral. Nowadays, technological breakthroughs might have a significant impact on our moral character and abilities. This is the case of Virtual Reality (VR) technologies. The aim of this paper is to consider the ethical aspects of the use of VR in enhancing empathy. First, we will offer an introduction to VR, explaining its fundamental features, devices and concepts. Then, we will approach the characterization of VR as an “empathy machine,” showing why this medium has aroused so much interest and why, nevertheless, we do not believe it is the ideal way to enhance empathy. As an alternative, we will consider fostering empathy-related abilities through virtual embodiment in avatars. In the conclusion, however, we will examine some of the serious concerns related to the ethical relevance of empathy and will defend the philosophical case for a reason-guided empathy, also suggesting specific guidelines for possible future developments of empathy enhancement projects through VR embodied experiences.
Highlights
From the very beginning, the contemporary debate on moral enhancement has predominantly been a discussion about moral bio-enhancement, that is, the ethical considerations of using biotechnologies such as gene editing, pharmacological drugs, or neurological interventions in order to improve our moral behavior (Douglas, 2008, 2013; Faust, 2008; Persson and Savulescu, 2008, 2012; DeGrazia, 2014; Harris, 2016)
Several ethical issues raised by this technology have already been widely debated in recent years1, we will focus on its use for moral enhancement, on how Virtual Reality (VR) could improve empathy
We will label them “Virtual Reality Embodied Perspective-Taking” (VREPT) in order to add to the relevance of the embodied aspect, which we consider essential to these experiences13
Summary
The contemporary debate on moral enhancement has predominantly been a discussion about moral bio-enhancement, that is, the ethical considerations of using biotechnologies such as gene editing, pharmacological drugs, or neurological interventions in order to improve our moral behavior (Douglas, 2008, 2013; Faust, 2008; Persson and Savulescu, 2008, 2012; DeGrazia, 2014; Harris, 2016). In the Further Ethical Aspects: in Defense of a Reason-Guided Empathy, we will explain in greater detail a defense of rational control over the emotional engagements triggered by empathic processes These previous examples do not necessarily intend to improve empathic abilities themselves, but rather to provoke social changes through the impact that VR technologies might have on empathic responses. We will label them “Virtual Reality Embodied Perspective-Taking” (VREPT) in order to add to the relevance of the embodied aspect, which we consider essential to these experiences13 In our opinion, this is the most promising form of VR empathy enhancement, both in terms of general efficacy and in terms of ethical permissibility, provided that certain precautions are taken and which we will discuss later. Empathy is a source of reason that have a place in our moral deliberations
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