Can we say anything ethical about Digital Religion? Philosophical and Methodological considerations.

Abstract

Against the background of growing interest in normative frameworks within Media and Communication Studies and Internet Studies, I propose a virtue ethics framework for Digital Religion (DR). This framework conjoins loving as a virtue with consequent norms of equality and respect for persons. By understanding selfhood in terms of relational autonomy, this framework shares with DR a central focus on identity, community, and authority. Two applications of the framework within DR illustrate its practicality. I further show how this framework can counter two main objections to the introduction of normative interests within DR as an otherwise “value-free” social science.