moral dilemmas

This note last modified September 1, 2024

Video Games and Moral Pedagogy-Staines argues that for something to truly be a “moral dilemma” rather than a moral temptation, it must include two competing moral claims, rather than a “do the moral thing or do the thing that benefits you.”

trolley problems

  • George and the chemical weapons
  • jim and the indians
  • Dax Cowart's right to die

Backlinks

  • thought experiments
    • moral dilemmas

  • moral temptations
    • A “moral dilemma”, but one where one side is basically unjustifiable.

  • moral dilemmas have no stakes
    • it’s easy to say the right thing to do when faced with a moral dilemma since you have no stake in the outcome. This is especially the case when the moral dilemma is simplistic, or set up like a moral temptations.

  • modify moral dilemmas
    • A good way to really hit home with moral dilemmas is to modify them slightly to mess with whatever implicit moral theory someone is using to solve them. Aka mess with a utilitarian by turning the trolley problem into the fat man problem

  • games can teach philosophy through simulation
    • Games can simulate tough moral dilemmas

  • effective character education
    • discussing moral dilemmas
  • Video Games for Prosocial Learning-Koo
    • moral dilemmas are a good way to do prosocial learning

  • Video Games and Moral Pedagogy-Staines
    • Apparently Ultima IV uses moral dilemmas in its character creation. Recommends that UIV could have used consequences (aka skill points) and repeatedly modifying moral dilemmas

  • Papers Please
    • You may have the moral dilemma to break the rules of your job or be unethical to others to feed your family.
  • Definition Of Philosophical Game-Gualeni
    • Not only do they have philosophy central to their plots, but they leverage hypotheticals to stimulate our intuitions and trigger our critical faculties.

    • moral dilemmas in games
logo