What it’s like to be a _____: why it’s (often) unethical to use VR as an empathy nudging tool
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-2021
Publisher
Springer Nature
Abstract
In this article, we apply the literature on the ethics of choice-architecture (nudges) to the realm of virtual reality (VR) to point out ethical problems with using VR for empathy-based nudging. Specifically, we argue that VR simulations aiming to enhance empathic understanding of others via perspective-taking will almost always be unethical to develop or deploy. We argue that VR-based empathy enhancement not only faces traditional ethical concerns about nudges (autonomy, welfare, transparency), but also a variant of the semantic variance problem that arises for intersectional perspective-taking. VR empathy simulations deceive and manipulate their users about their experiences. Despite their often laudable goals, such simulations confront significant ethical challenges. In light of these goals and challenges, we propose VR designers shift from designing simulations aimed at producing empathic perspective-taking to designing simulations aimed at generating sympathy for their targets. These simulations, we claim, can avoid the most serious ethical issues associated with VR nudges, semantic variance, and intersectionality.
Recommended Citation
Ramirez, E. J., Elliott, M., & Milam, P.-E. (2021). What it’s like to be a _____: Why it’s (often) unethical to use VR as an empathy nudging tool. Ethics and Information Technology, 23(3), 527–542. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10676-021-09594-y
