Ethics of Virtual Reality

In this book, Michael Grabowski uses established theories of ethics to evaluate the benefits and risks of using virtual reality (VR). By examining and imagining use cases of VR and related technologies, Grabowski questions how rules should govern VR to address issues of control, access, privacy, bias, deception, and abuse. In this book, Michael Grabowski draws on established theories of ethics to consider critical questions surrounding the growing adoption of virtual reality (VR) technologies. These questions include who should control and have access to VR, its impact on privacy, its potential for misrepresentation and bias, and how to provide a platform for free expression while mitigating harassment and abuse. Grabowski examines use cases of other digital technologies, including social media and artificial intelligence, to examine who is helped and harmed by the widespread implementation of VR and how it might transform existing institutions, social relationships, and communication. Finally, Grabowski forecasts the possible futures of VR and what limits, if any, should be placed on representing the real world or imagining new ones. Scholars of media studies, technology studies, communication, and ethics will find this book of particular interest.