Why are you into talking Ethics?

I am so happy that this forum now exists, because with my typing speed I can't always get my thoughts in the queue quickly enough for them to be relevant.
As a fairly new member of SL, I am wondering, first why Sel started the group, and second why people have become part of the group. I have recognized returning AVs at the meetings, so there is an investment in the topic.
So, why did you get into this, and what do you hope to get fro this?


Me, I like discussion and deeper thought than Slingo, on line sex, and other gambling. I was attracted to the listing on the Events page, and dropped in.
My own interest in ethics in SL was piqued when a woman I know here, told me that she had a major love interest in SL, and that her RL husband was giving her this as a gift.
I was kinda shocked, and I knew I had to check myself, and my prejudices, preconceived notions. Just because I wouldn't do that, does it mean that it's wrong? And, that, has lead to being interested in ethics.

Also, I am in RL someone who has worked in mental health almost all my adult life, and this topic borders on psychology and sociology.

Anyway, a long-winded and not speed typing dependent question and answer.
Ethics in SL? Bring it on, and thanks Selaras for getting this going.

Hi, DeFran, I enjoy exploring ideas and concepts, and I'm particularly interested in the question of power: who has it, who are they willing to share it with, how do groups and indiviudals compete for it and handle it when they have it.

I also like debate...it makes me look more closely at my own feelings and reasoning, and exposes me to others' points of view, and there's a competitive streak in me that loves the give and take...and push and pull..of debate.

and I like people...most intreguing species on the planet...like to see where I share things with others and where we differ.

I particularly like that there is a fairly large core group that I can get to know in more depth as we return week after week and continue our discussion.

Kind of a stream of consciousness reply, there....

Best,
anya

There are a few reasons I am into talking Ethics, which I'll enumerate, something I also am into doing.

(a) I love to argue.

(b) My life is riddled with ethical dilemmas and in some cases I am very proud of the sacrifices I've made in the name of ethics. If I can't talk about it, yeesh, what's the point? ;d

(c) Ethics are important!

(d) Chicks dig UNIX^M^M^M^M dudes that care about the issues.

BTW, I think it's interesting that so many people find something they are an expert on or otherwise highly dedicated to in FL which intersects with the topic of ethics. In my, even admittedly limited, experience with our discussions, this adds a lot of interesting perspective...

Why I'm Into Talking Ethics

I also enjoy the spirited discussion of ideas and sharing perspectives to find out the whys and hows behind other people's positions. When I first started in SL about a year ago, there were only about a couple Discussion events a week. Not many. And none devoted to ethics! I've always been fascinated by ethics, and I love exploring the ins and outs of what is ethical/less ethical/unethical but it never seemed to be a topic that was much discussed by anyone. I wasn't sure if it was just my own preoccupation with ethics or if ethics were entirely out of fashion, but I decided to try hosting some discussions to give it a go.

So, I hosted the first Talking Ethics event back in September, and it was dismally attended. (If you search the forums, you'll see when I posted in forums way back to gauge interest... There was very little.) I kept hosting 1-2 events a week at different times, and attendance slowly grew. At some point, I founded The Ethics Group so that it'd be easy to contact everyone about events, so that we could contact each other if we might ever want to ask for ethical opinions or advice, and also so that we could have a cool group title for members. (:

Besides being interested in talking about ethics, and besides the value in sharing our opinions openly with one another so that we may listen and understand each other better, I feel there's value in discussing ethics in particular. In a world where ethics are often the first thing out the window, it helps to consider the ethics of our real and hypothetical actions, and to articulate our feelings about them as clearly as we can.

What do I hope to get from this? I think I've already gotten it. I found a community of thoughtful people who do care about ethics, and care about having a safe forum for open dialogue where we can talk and agree and disagree respectfully. I love hearing your voices and your thoughts every week.

Thank you to all of you for being here with me.

Sel
(:

I'm a philosopher in RL, and much of what I write about involves existence and ethics.
Just having a good understanding of reality, and sharing ideas with others is great.
I'm here to learn. There is no place in RL or online where people can really get together and discuss ethics.
Ethics are very important. Many people go about doing things with little understanding of ethics and practicality.
Many people justify what is right and wrong based on what is beneficial to them, and really believe what they are saying is right and wrong.