International Center for Ethics in the Sciences and Humanities (IZEW)

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01.08.2023

Computer games as empathy machines?

New blog article by Theresa Krampe

Can computer games make us more empathetic, better people? This is what the discussion about so-called "empathy games" seems to promise; after all, these games are supposed to promote empathic reactions and altruistic behaviour in real life as well. However, there is also criticism of the pro-empathy discourse. Researchers like Bo Ruberg and Fritz Breithaupt, for example, point out the downsides of empathy from completely different perspectives. So it's high time to take a closer look at the debate.

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