Disembodiment, anonymity and oppressive freedom: An ethical enlightenment for virtual ontology

Abstract

Information communication technology has introduced a platform through which human beings can connect with each other without being physically present. This feature stretches beyond geographical boundaries and places human beings in the same virtual community. Virtuality is not only a limitless, timeless, non-tangible space, but also disembodies human beings. Consequently, this disembodiment conforms to the limitless nature of virtuality, allowing human beings to experience an ontology that is not restricted by physicality. In this state of disembodiment, virtuality gives users the option of navigating the space anonymously. In addition, this feature of a hidden identity further perpetuates the use of freedom in a limitless space, often allowing human beings to conduct actions they would never conduct as embodied beings. In fact, the combination of disembodiment and anonymity augments the limitless nature of virtuality. With no identity, the user can easily be detached from accountability and responsibility. Philosophically, this raises existential and ethical concerns which this article aims to address. The methodological approach that this article will use is a critical approach, which acknowledges that social relations and phenomena are not exempted from challenges. T. H. Green’s rendition of negative and positive freedoms, made famous by Isaiah Berlin, will be used as a theoretical framework. The former freedom will be useful to analyse the freedom used in the context of virtual ontology, while the latter will be used as a way forward for both the users and designers of social media platforms.