Harmonizing Ethics

One of the difficulties presented in the study of ethics is the variety of schools of thought and their diverging recommendations on certain contentious issues. Despite the variety, it’s possible to reconcile these positions into a holistic ethical framework to capture more salient features of the given issue.

The significance of this task lies in the way that ethical alignment fosters the creation and maintenance of value in the world. To the extent that any key aspect is neglected, we may find that we miss out on opportunities to not only alleviate suffering but more importantly promote human flourishing.

In this post we will explore three major categories of values reflecting the embodied, rational and emotionally attuned nature of what it means to be human and the overarching value of alignment that encompasses them all.

Embodiment, Biology and Practical Considerations

When we deliberate on a contentious issue, one key element is that the results are tangible, measurable, and often related to outcomes that can be quantified. This insight was most clearly articulated in the ethical orientation of consequentialism such as the utilitarianism of Jeremy Bentham or J. S. Mill.

However, in Bentham’s “calculus of felicity” which advocated for the “greatest happiness for the greatest number,” a crucial nuance was he considered pleasure as the ultimate good. The limitation of hedonism as a value theory is that it doesn’t explain what it is about certain goods that lead them to feel pleasurable and can only handle the problem of destructive pleasures by introducing the consideration of duration and intensities of the pleasure.

Our embodiment in a world means that we need to sustain our life by our own activity. The role of pleasure then is bound up with the satisfaction of certain biological needs like food and reproduction. Since our actions have practical effects on the satisfaction of these needs in various ways, weighing decisions in terms of their effectiveness becomes a key consideration. Yet, pleasurable feelings can be considered the byproduct with having proper sustenance being a more appropriate objective

Our Rational Autonomy and the Social Contract

Another facet of what it means to be human for many of us is having the ability to deliberate at all about important decisions. Our mindedness means that we not only have basic needs, but also have cognitive needs for coherence or justification. This ethical orientation is largely associated with the deontology of Immanuel Kant in works like the Critique of Judgment and the Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals.

Kant introduced the concept of the categorial imperative whereby the rules by which one acts should be universalizable without contradiction. It is formulated also in another way which encourages us to treat individuals only as ends in themselves and not as means to ends. This introduces an important dimension to ethical thinking because in consequentialism, the whole system is considered in aggregate often without regard for the separateness of persons.

Another ethical orientation closely related to Kant’s deontology is contractualism which often emphasized the political implications of mutual respect. The major value for this tradition has been fairness and a lot of thought has been given to whether the social norms and laws of society are agreeable to all. In the formulation offered by John Rawls, he imagines a “veil of ignorance” behind which you had to design the social order without knowing which place you would have in it. These sorts of consideration help us to think in a balanced way about equality, the rights and responsibilities of persons and fairness.

The Recognition of Interconnectedness

Spiritual values relate to our deeper emotional and existential experiences. They address human finitude, interconnectedness, and the broader context of our existence. This category also includes values like kindness, compassion, courage, temperance, empathy, emotional connection, unconditional love, forgiveness, and humility. Compassionate approaches are crucial in areas like healthcare, social services, and community building, where understanding and addressing human suffering and finitude are key.

This ethical orientation features in many of the major schools of Greek antiquity as well as in ancient Hindu philosophy. Virtue ethics often emphasizes character which the sort of responsiveness to situations that a good person might have. Here “good person” would depend on the particular value theory of the philosopher but often express similar insights in different language. For example, Aristotle might understand a good person as someone who is fulfilling their purpose which is a balance of maintaining one’s life and contributing to the community. For a Buddhist, a good person might be someone who recognizes the four noble truths and lives from that recognition, avowing to end the suffering of all beings.

Virtues can be understood as a pattern of response to specific contexts. The courageous person might respond to threatening situations that could provoke fear with confrontation and planning, the righteously indignant might respond to a breach of their personal boundaries that could provoke anger with setting consequences like withdrawing themselves, a temperate person would respond to enticing situations that could stimulate excessive pleasure with moderation. They might respond to a situation where they unintentionally cross a boundary which could provoke guilt with atonement.

In modern terms, we might refer to these context-sensitive responses as values one holds. Some other schools of thought that emphasize alignment with one’s values include the existential ethics of Sartre and the feminist ethics of care.

Case Study on The Rise of Social Media

The impact of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok has been a contentious issue with some people even advocating for government intervention to ban or regulate them if not encouraging users to individually abstain or limit their use. However, they’re not without their benefits leading to a need for a nuanced evaluation of its consequences, the role of accountability and managing its emotional impact. By examining these facets, we might better mitigate negative outcomes, and create a more equitable digital environment.

Effective Business Model

In terms of effectiveness, social media offers significant advantages. It facilitates real-time communication, amplifies marginalized voices, and serves as a critical tool for activism and awareness. The Arab Spring, for instance, demonstrated the power of social platforms to mobilize collective action and challenge oppressive regimes.

On the other hand, the very features that make social media effective can also lead to harm. Algorithms prioritize engagement, often at the expense of accuracy, leading to the spread of misinformation. This can destabilize societies, erode trust in institutions, and polarize communities. Additionally, the addictive design of platforms often compromises users’ mental health, with excessive screen time contributing to anxiety, depression, and a sense of disconnection.

An open question is whether the current business model is effectively working or whether it creates perverse incentives. Social media requires scale for it network effects to connect people but at the same time, making it free means that ads and algorithmic queuing are what keep the platform in business. A hybrid approach combining subscription-based services, freemium models, and community ownership or governance stands out as a balanced and viable solution. It’s important that scalability and inclusion remain central so that as many people can get on the platform and connect.

By shifting the upkeep costs to the consumers in a more transparent way, platforms can respect privacy as well as reduce the algorithmic bias toward click farming based on emotionally reactive or addicting content as well as taking advantage of personal data. This then buys the user the option to more intentionally select content they would like to see from a more reflective interface that aligns with their values. Companies could better match what they are selling to their intended audience.

Robust Accountability Systems

Balancing responsibilities and rights among users, companies, and platforms themselves is another critical ethical challenge. Users have a responsibility to engage thoughtfully, verify information, and respect the dignity of others online. Platforms, as intermediaries, must navigate their dual role as both private enterprises and public spaces. They bear a responsibility to enforce community standards without infringing on free expression. Striking this balance requires a shared effort among all actors to recognize their respective roles in fostering a healthier digital environment.

Meaningful Engagement

The emotional dimension of social media ethics is equally significant. Social platforms influence how people feel about themselves and their place in the world. Positive interactions on social media can foster connection, belonging, and empowerment. However, negative experiences—such as cyberbullying, exposure to distressing imagery, or the pressure to curate an idealized self-image—can leave lasting psychological scars. Addressing these emotional challenges involves creating spaces that encourage authentic and respectful interactions while providing tools to manage the potential for harm.

Features like liking, commenting, and sharing should encourage thoughtful and positive interactions rather than shallow or compulsive engagement. Algorithms should prioritize content that uplifts, educates, and inspires rather than sensational, divisive, or harmful material. Platforms should address issues like body image by promoting diverse representations and discouraging harmful beauty standards. Features that promote mindfulness, such as reminders to take breaks or personalized mental health resources, can contribute to user well-being. Community-building tools, like group discussions or collaborative projects, can foster deeper connections and a sense of belonging.

While no individual social media platform shines in terms of ethical alignment, the platform Discord has several features that allow it to stand out in terms of its freemium business model, small community focus and meaningful engagement features. For example, many organic communities like run clubs use them to creates spaces with channels for sharing and communicating helpful content. The accountability system could be better since it’s more based on private moderation but it serves as an example of a social media platform that has promise for the future.

Ethical Harmony

The exploration above elaborates out the vastly different ways of looking at specific situations and the way that they might account for each others limitations. While effectiveness matters, so does the separateness of persons and the emotional gravity of the situation. Considering all of these matters for the way we satisfy our basic needs, autonomy and mutual recognition. By honoring all of these elements we promote the wellbeing of both individuals and the broader collective.

Further Reading

1. Doing Ethics: Moral Reasoning and Contemporary Issues by Lewis Vaughn. This comprehensive textbook introduces key ethical theories and applies them to real-world issues, including technology and social media. It’s an excellent starting point for understanding the principles of consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics in the context of social media ethics.
2. Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now by Jaron Lanier. Lanier explores the personal and societal harms of social media platforms, providing thought-provoking arguments about their impact on mental health, democracy, and human relationships.
3. Creating Capabilities: The Human Development Approach by Martha Nussbaum. Nussbaum’s work on human flourishing and capabilities provides a philosophical lens for evaluating how institutions and platforms can enhance or hinder personal and collective well-being.