Ethics in Cyberspace

Proper Distance: Toward an Ethics for Cyberspace
By: Roger Silverstone

In reading Silverstone’s essay, I was reminded of two things, first my love for the metaphysical and second, the fact the technology has changed the way I interact with others on a daily basis. Were it not for Myspace, Facebook and email, I would not have kept in contact with so many people throughout my life.

By leading us to look at ethics in cyberspace through a metaphysical lense, we are able to consider both the physical and virtual idea of reality, human vulnerability, and the finite vs. infinite. When I think the metaphysical in relation to cyberspace, the idea that reality is what we make it encompasses new meaning. Reality is truly what we choose for it to be in cyberspace. I can be, say, and do anything in cyberspace, which is why Silverstone’s discussion of ethics is so important. He clearly calls for us to take responsibility for others in these spaces. We have an obligation to look out for each other as if we were neighbors in the traditional sense. I really appreciate the sentiment Silverstone expresses here. Ethical action must not be based on the expectation of rewards, but rather on the fact that we should treat those in the cyberspace as neighbors. Through cyberspace we are able to go beyond physical distance to form relationships with “Others” all over the world with out the physical and social barriers of race, gender, age, and status. The only way we can move towards ethics on the Internet is through the spread of compassion and responsibility for others, an idea that I think is worth spreading.