Ethical Internet Use Begins with Recognizing the Other

• In Event: Utilizing Levinasian Ethics for Modern-Day Rhetorical Situations

Abstract

Levinas discusses looking into the face of “the other” as being the way in which one can truly understand; truly understand the consequences of their actions. We know that, for most Internet communication, there is another person on the computer we are communicating with, however; because this other is not visible to us, there is less of a feeling of reciprocity or ethical responsibility because the other is not physically available to us. This is not to say that all users of the Internet leave their ethics at the door when they log on, but that sometimes it is easier to do something when you are anonymous, or when the other is not visible because “Levinas does not posit, a priori, a conception of ethics that then instantiates itself in certain concrete experiences; rather the ethical (rather than ‘ethics’) is a name that describes, a posteriori, a certain event of being in a nonsubsumptive relation with the other” (Peperzak, et. al., 1996). Levinas’ understanding provides an explanation of why people may leave their ethical assumptions on the side when they are online; after all, there is no visible “other” to consider. In order to establish an acceptable ethical code for the Internet, we first need to establish a basic understanding that the “other” does exist and there needs to be a basis for this argument. With a lack of ethical guidelines currently available, it is understandable that you might question what the site needs the information for. Because hackers exist, there is a need for an established code of ethics for Internet communication. By utilizing Levinas’ work, usability guidelines, and communication ethics, this paper hopes to establish a Code of Ethics for users of the Internet that recognizes that all Internet dealings are with another human and not just a computer; therefore, ethical behavior is requested, if not required. Remembering the Golden Rule is important for Internet use: “Do unto others and you would have them do unto you”. Beginning with Levinas we must first establish that the other is present in Internet dialogue and transactions

Author

• Kristin Roeschenthaler Wolfe, Duquesne University / Pennsylvania State University Beaver Campus