Forthcoming in R. Cavalier (ed.), The Impact of the Internet on Our Moral Lives (New York: SUNY, 2003) Internet Ethics: the Constructionist Values of Homo Poieticus

In this chapter, we argue that the web is a poietically-enabling environment, which both enhances and requires the development of a “constructionist ethics”. We begin by explaining the appropriate concept of “constructionist ethics”, and analysing virtue ethics as the primary example. We then show why CyberEthics (or Computer Ethics, as it is also called) cannot be based on virtue ethics, yet needs to retain a constructionist approach. After providing evidence for significant poietic uses of the web, we argue that ethical constructionism is not only facilitated by the web, but is also what the web requires as an ethics of the digital environment. In conclusion, we relate the present discussion to standard positions in CyberEthics and to a broader project for Information Ethics.