Although I was originally trained as a philosopher of language and social epistemologist, I now primarily focus on philosophical issues related to technology. Within this broad umbrella, I have many interests.
One of my research threads is in ethics of emerging technologies. I have thus written on ethical issues pertaining to artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and augmented reality. I am currently wrestling with ethical concerns surrounding the growing use of facial recognition technology, particularly in commercial applications such as unlocking phones.
Much of my current work examines ethical issues related to video games. Over the last few decades, video games have attempted to incorporate elements of moral choice into their game worlds; I examine ways in which this occurs and how successful these attempts are at promoting moral reflection. One of my emphases is the fact that games are played in a social context; we cannot completely divorce ourselves from our experiences. Particularly with the increasingly social nature of video games – as well as their pervasive influence on society – ethical issues in this area have become pressing. I am currently working on a book manuscript centered on ethical issues in video game design.
Beyond video games, I am also interested in the ways in which we interact online, particularly in terms of virtual communities. These sorts of communities are increasingly common, yet their voluntary and seemingly ephemeral nature has led many to wonder about their importance. My interests lie in the nature of identity online, as well as with certain concerns about privacy and anonymity online.
This focus on virtual communities ties into my more general interest in the nature and value of communities. I approach philosophy largely from a social perspective, which has led me to write on a handful of broader social topics.
Interests
- Philosophy of Technology
- Computer Ethics
- Video Game Ethics
- Ethics of Emerging Technologies
- Online Communities
- Virtual Worlds
- Artificial Intelligence
- 3D Printing
- Augmented Reality
- Social Philosophy