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Main Author: Karpouzis, Kostas
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2403.08041
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author Karpouzis, Kostas
author_facet Karpouzis, Kostas
contents Gamification, the integration of game mechanics in non-game settings, has become increasingly prevalent in various digital platforms; however, its ethical and societal impacts are often overlooked. This paper delves into how Platonic and Aristotelian philosophies can provide a critical framework for understanding and evaluating the ethical dimensions of gamification. Plato's allegory of the cave and theory of forms are used to analyse the perception of reality in gamified environments, questioning their authenticity and the value of virtual achievements, while Aristotle's virtue ethics, with its emphasis on moderation, virtue, and eudaimonia (true and full happiness), can help assess how gamification influences user behaviour and ethical decision-making. The paper critically examines various gamification elements, such as the hero's journey, altruistic actions, badge levels, and user autonomy, through these philosophical lenses, and addresses the ethical responsibilities of gamification designers, advocating for a balanced approach that prioritizes user well-being and ethical development over commercial interests. By bridging ancient philosophical insights with modern digital culture, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the ethical implications of gamification, emphasizing the need for responsible and virtuous design in digital applications.
format Preprint
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publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle What would Plato say? Concepts and notions from Greek philosophy applied to gamification mechanics for a meaningful and ethical gamification
Karpouzis, Kostas
Human-Computer Interaction
Gamification, the integration of game mechanics in non-game settings, has become increasingly prevalent in various digital platforms; however, its ethical and societal impacts are often overlooked. This paper delves into how Platonic and Aristotelian philosophies can provide a critical framework for understanding and evaluating the ethical dimensions of gamification. Plato's allegory of the cave and theory of forms are used to analyse the perception of reality in gamified environments, questioning their authenticity and the value of virtual achievements, while Aristotle's virtue ethics, with its emphasis on moderation, virtue, and eudaimonia (true and full happiness), can help assess how gamification influences user behaviour and ethical decision-making. The paper critically examines various gamification elements, such as the hero's journey, altruistic actions, badge levels, and user autonomy, through these philosophical lenses, and addresses the ethical responsibilities of gamification designers, advocating for a balanced approach that prioritizes user well-being and ethical development over commercial interests. By bridging ancient philosophical insights with modern digital culture, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the ethical implications of gamification, emphasizing the need for responsible and virtuous design in digital applications.
title What would Plato say? Concepts and notions from Greek philosophy applied to gamification mechanics for a meaningful and ethical gamification
topic Human-Computer Interaction
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2403.08041