Mindshaping Jerks: the Folk Psychology of Online Incivility and Moral Disengagement

Abstract

In this paper, I will propose a systematic philosophical approach to understand and describe instances of hostile interaction in online environments. I will propose a recent approach in philosophy of mind that understands social cognition as fundamentally relying on socially shared norms as particularly resourceful for understanding hostile online interaction. Specifically, the lack of a determined normative context online makes behavior difficult to interpret, and users tend to apply their own normative standards for (in)appropriate behavior, while those standards might not be followed by other people. This leads to a lack of common ground and to reciprocal aggression. I will conclude by arguing that digital media literacy policies should favor virtuous and healthy engagement through the establishment of shared norms online. Consent Thesis Repository