Video Games And Meaning In Our Lives: An Aristotelian View
Video Games & Meaning in Our Lives: An Aristotelian View
Are games trivial by nature? And if so, does their triviality ultimately conclude that games cannot provide meaning in our lives? I attempt to answer these questions using an approach to moral philosophy, specifically, Aristotelian virtue ethics. With a focus on video games in particular, in this essay, I will first use Aristotle’s virtue theory to argue for the merit and importance of games in our lives. Particularly, I will apply his conception of catharsis and the inherent pursuit of the best life, Eudaimonia, to discuss gameplay as an intrinsic moral good such that there is something valuable in engaging in gameplay. This paper will engage with Grand Theft Auto V, as an example of a video game that inspires players to think critically, to make deliberate choices, and that offer real-world connections and elements that provide meaning in our lives.
Aristotle, and other virtue theorists alike, reason that if people were to focus on being good, then the right actions will follow accordingly. Aristotle, in particular, thought that being a good person meant possessing certain specific virtues, and if one is virtuous, they inherently possess good judgment and can easily discern which actions to take and when to take them. That is, his …show more content…
Aristotle believed that human behavior can be split into various categories, with each category having two extremes at opposite ends of the spectrum, and with a virtuous middle that people ought to strive for depending on the situation they find themselves in. For instance, a person should neither spend their money too freely, nor be too frugal, but rather strive for generosity – a virtuous disposition in the middle of the other two extremes. Most importantly, while Aristotle thought that these virtues can be taught, he emphasized that they must be practiced until they become a learned
Are games trivial by nature? And if so, does their triviality ultimately conclude that games cannot provide meaning in our lives? I attempt to answer these questions using an approach to moral philosophy, specifically, Aristotelian virtue ethics. With a focus on video games in particular, in this essay, I will first use Aristotle’s virtue theory to argue for the merit and importance of games in our lives. Particularly, I will apply his conception of catharsis and the inherent pursuit of the best life, Eudaimonia, to discuss gameplay as an intrinsic moral good such that there is something valuable in engaging in gameplay. This paper will engage with Grand Theft Auto V, as an example of a video game that inspires players to think critically, to make deliberate choices, and that offer real-world connections and elements that provide meaning in our lives.
Aristotle, and other virtue theorists alike, reason that if people were to focus on being good, then the right actions will follow accordingly. Aristotle, in particular, thought that being a good person meant possessing certain specific virtues, and if one is virtuous, they inherently possess good judgment and can easily discern which actions to take and when to take them. That is, his …show more content…
Aristotle believed that human behavior can be split into various categories, with each category having two extremes at opposite ends of the spectrum, and with a virtuous middle that people ought to strive for depending on the situation they find themselves in. For instance, a person should neither spend their money too freely, nor be too frugal, but rather strive for generosity – a virtuous disposition in the middle of the other two extremes. Most importantly, while Aristotle thought that these virtues can be taught, he emphasized that they must be practiced until they become a learned