Cyberspace as an Ethical Agent

Cyberspace is typically regarded as a neutral technological complex composed of software and hardware systems, generally perceived as a source of substantial societal benefits. However, cyberspace is rarely considered a technology–human system with ethical implications that could transform society as we know it. This chapter argues that we should be conscious of cyberspace’s ethical impact on our societies, democratic institutions, culture, and on us as individuals. We should view cyberspace as an ethical agent. The arguments presented are grounded in current literature, research, and electronic sources, lending a practical dimension that extends beyond purely abstract philosophical thought. We also question why this perspective on cyberspace is so critically important and what conclusions we hope readers might draw from adopting such a viewpoint.