Playing with good and evil : videogames and moral philosophy
Name
166227874-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
4.56 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
08973e7bbb531b71cb61166c9f4f64c4
Author(s)
Rauch, Peter E. (Peter Edward)
Advisor(s)
Henry Jenkins.
Alternative Title
Videogames and moral philosophy
Date Issued
2007
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
Despite an increasingly complex academic discourse, the videogame medium lacks an agreed-upon definition. Its relationship to previous media is somewhat unclear, and the unique attributes of the medium have not yet been fully catalogued. Drawing on theory suggesting that videogames can convey ideas, I will argue that the videogame medium is capable of modeling and critiquing elements of moral philosophy in a unique manner. To make this argument, I first address a number of questions about the proper definition of videogames, how games in general and videogames specifically convey ideas, and how games can be constructed to form arguments. Having defined my terms, I will conduct case studies on three games (Fable, Command & Conquer: Generals, and The Punisher), clarifying how the design of each could be modified to address a specific philosophical issue.
Description
Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Comparative Media Studies, 2007.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 90-92).
Subjects
Comparative Media Studies.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Program in Comparative Media Studies/Writing
Terms of Use
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