Digital Minimalism and Ethics

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to digital minimalism, ethical duties, and arguments from Aylsworth and Castro's lecture.

Digital Minimalism

A lifestyle choice to focus one’s online time on a small number of carefully selected and optimized activities that strongly support one's values.

Imperfect Duty

An obligation to pursue ends, which does not tell how much to pursue those ends and does not endorse specific actions for fulfilling those ends.

Kant's View on Humanity

Humanity should be treated with respect.

Addiction Components by Bhargava and Velasquez

Includes components such as conflict, mood modification, salience, tolerance, and excessive use of time.

Exploitation Definition by Bhargava and Velasquez

Exploitation occurs when one takes advantage of another's vulnerabilities without necessarily implying moral objection.

Kant's Influence on Goal Pursuit

Ken's conclusion that he is utilizing his humanity in being a social media influencer is true because he is setting goals and engaging in reasoning.

Morally Objectionable Exploitation

A form of exploitation that disrespects the individual whose vulnerability is being taken advantage of.

Social Media Algorithms

These algorithms use addicts' own desires against themselves, contributing to disrespect and exploitation.

Premise of Digital Minimalism Argument

We have an imperfect duty to cultivate and protect our rational agency.

Main Conclusion from Aylsworth and Castro

Thoughtful smartphone use can cultivate our humanity.