Ten Things Video Games Can Teach Us : (About Life, Philosophy and Everything)
If you could upload all of your memories into a machine, would that machine be you? Is it possible we're all already artificial intelligences, living inside a simulation?
These sound like questions from a philosophy class, but in fact they're from modern, popular video games. Philosophical discussion often uses thought experiments to consider ideas that we can't test in real life, and media like books, films, and games can make these thought experiments far more accessible to a non-academic audience. Thanks to their interactive nature, video games can be especially effective ways to explore these ideas.
Each chapter of this book introduces a philosophical topic through discussion of relevant video games, with interviews with game creators and expert philosophers. In ten chapters, this book demonstrates how video games can help us to consider the following questions:
1. Why do video games make for good thought experiments? (From the ethical dilemmas of the Mass Effect series to 'philosophy games'.)
2. What can we actually know? (From why Phoenix Wright is right for the wrong reasons to whether No Man's Sky is a lie.)
3. Is virtual reality a kind of reality? (On whether VR headsets like the Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR, and HTC Vive deal in mass-market hallucination.)
4. What constitutes a mind? (From the souls of Beyond: Two Souls to the synths of Fallout 4.)
5. What can you lose before you're no longer yourself? (Identity crises in the likes of The Swapper and BioShock Infinite.)
6. Does it mean anything to say we have choice? (Determinism and free will in Bioshock, Portal 2 and Deus Ex.)
7. What does it mean to be a good or dutiful person? (Virtue ethics in the Ultima series and duty ethics in Planescape: Torment.)
8. Is there anything better in life than to be happy? (Utilitarianism in Bioshock 2 and Harvest Moon.)
10. How should we be governed, for whom and by who? (Government and rights in Eve Online, Crusader Kings, Democracy 3 and Fable 3.)
11. Is it ever right to take another life? And how do we cope with our own death? (The Harm Thesis and the good death in To The Moon and Lost Odyssey.)
About the Authors
Jordan Erica Webber is a freelance writer and speaker who specialises in video games. Most of her work can be found on the Guardian. She has a first-class degree in Philosophy with Psychology from the University of Warwick.
Dan Griliopoulos is a writer specialising in video games. His work has been published in media including The New Statesman, the Mail on Sunday and the Guardian. He has a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Oxford and a lifelong love of classical philosophy. He is currently Lead Content Editor at tech firm Improbable.
Returns
This policy does not limit the rights you are entitled to under Australian Consumer Law. Booktopia does not accept returns or offer refunds for a change of mind. If you have any concerns about the item you have received then please ensure you contact Booktopia customer care first through your MyDeal account as soon as possible.
Damaged or Faulty Items
Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. You are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure. You are also entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if the goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure.
If you have received an item that is incorrect, damaged or faulty please contact Booktopia customer Care first through your MyDeal account as soon as possible. Booktopia will require evidence of the issue and may require you to return the item for assessment.
Before returning anything you must contact Booktopia customer care as returns will not be accepted without a Return Authorisation. Booktopia may provide means to return an item at no cost to you or an alternate remedy. If an item is required to be returned (at no cost) it must be packed securely with cardboard or bubble wrap protecting the item, packed to prevent movement inside the package and ensuring the package is firmly enclosed
Refunds
Where a Return Authorisation has been given, a refund via the method used for payment of the order will be provided. Booktopia will contact you if any items are not eligible for a refund.
Copyright 2024 MyDeal.com.au - © All rights reserved
