The Ethos of Digital Environments: Technology, Literary Theory and Philosophy

This collection of articles explores the ethos of digital environments, examining how they model our perception, narration, and truth and investigating the ethical, moral, and juridical consequences of making public and societal infrastructures computational. The authors argue that we must make the structures of the digital environments visible and learn to care for them.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

While self-driving cars and autonomous weapon systems have garnered significant attention in media and research, the broader requirements of ethical life in today's digitalizing reality have not been sufficiently brought to light and assessed. This compilation of articles, penned by distinguished and emerging scholars working at the intersections of philosophy, literary theory, media, and technology, aims to explore the ethos of digital environments rather than establish new moral guidelines. Instead, the volume invites readers to engage in renewed moral reflection as they navigate the dilemmas posed by these environments. The authors demonstrate how contemporary digital technologies shape our perception, narration, and conceptions of truth, and investigate the ethical, moral, and legal implications of making public and societal infrastructures computational. They argue that we must make the structures of the digital environments visible and cultivate a sense of responsibility for them.

Introduction:
In the age of rapid technological advancements, the intersection of philosophy, literature, media, and technology has become increasingly important in shaping our understanding of ethical life. While self-driving cars and autonomous weapon systems have captured the public's attention, the broader ethical implications of our digitalizing reality have yet to receive the necessary attention. This collection of articles seeks to address this gap by exploring the ethos of digital environments and examining the ethical, moral, and legal consequences of making public and societal infrastructures computational.

The Ethos of Digital Environments:
The ethos of digital environments refers to the set of values, beliefs, and practices that govern our interactions with technology and the digital world. These environments are characterized by their complexity, interconnectedness, and rapid pace of change. The authors in this collection examine how contemporary digital technologies model our perception, narration, and conceptions of truth, and investigate the ethical, moral, and legal consequences of making public and societal infrastructures computational.

Perception and Narrative:
One of the key themes explored in this collection is the impact of digital technologies on our perception and narration. The authors argue that digital technologies have the ability to shape our understanding of the world by filtering and manipulating information. They highlight the ethical implications of this manipulation, such as the potential for misinformation, bias, and propaganda to spread. They also explore the ways in which digital technologies can enhance our ability to perceive and narrate the world, such as through virtual reality and augmented reality.

Truth and Conceptions of Reality:
Another important theme is the relationship between truth and conceptions of reality in the digital age. The authors argue that contemporary digital technologies have the ability to reshape our understanding of what is true and what is not. They explore the ethical implications of this reshaping, such as the potential for false narratives to spread and the erosion of trust in institutions. They also examine the ways in which digital technologies can enhance our ability to understand and interpret the world, such as through data analysis and machine learning.

Ethical, Moral, and Legal Consequences:
The ethical, moral, and legal consequences of making public and societal infrastructures computational are a central theme of this collection. The authors argue that the computationalization of these infrastructures has the potential to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency, but it also raises important ethical and legal concerns. They discuss the potential for privacy violations, discrimination, and the erosion of democratic values. They also explore the ways in which ethical and legal frameworks can be developed to address these concerns, such as through the development of regulations and the establishment of ethical review processes.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this collection of articles provides a valuable exploration of the ethos of digital environments and the ethical, moral, and legal consequences of making public and societal infrastructures computational. The authors argue that we must make the structures of the digital environments visible and learn to care for them. By engaging in renewed moral reflection and developing ethical and legal frameworks that account for the unique challenges of the digital age, we can ensure that the benefits of technology are realized while minimizing the potential harm to society.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367643324