LGBT Communities and Online Harassment
The prevalence of social media has made it easier for people to express their opinions about various issues affecting them.
There are several unethical actions that have been observed such as online harassment and hate speech targeting different groups, including LGBT communities. This paper will explore the philosophical frameworks used to evaluate these practices.
Philosophical Approaches to Evaluating Online Harassment Against LGBT Communities
There are three major philosophical approaches to evaluating online harassment against LGBT communities. The deontological approach focuses on the moral obligations of individuals when making ethical decisions. The utilitarian approach, on the other hand, considers the consequences of an action, while virtue ethics emphasizes character traits.
Deontological Approach
In this framework, the main concern is whether an action is right or wrong based on specific principles. It takes into account the intention behind the action rather than its results. Therefore, according to this approach, online harassment and hate speech against LGBT communities should be considered immoral because they violate the human rights of the victims.
Utilitarian Approach
This approach considers the consequences of an act.
If the person who engages in online harassment or hate speech feels good about themselves, then it may not be wrong.
Since it causes harm to others, it is still morally reprehensible. It can lead to mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and even suicide among members of the LGBT community. Therefore, utilitarianism would argue that such acts are unacceptable.
Virtue Ethics
This approach looks at the character traits of those involved in the actions. If someone engages in online harassment and hate speech, their character will suffer from being less loving, more hateful, and more intolerant. Thus, according to virtue ethics, these people will be viewed as having lower levels of love and kindness towards others, which makes them immoral.
Legal Framework for Online Harassment Against LGBT Communities
The legal framework also plays a role in determining what is acceptable and unacceptable when it comes to online harassment and hate speech against LGBT communities. Various laws have been enacted worldwide to protect the rights of these groups, including the Equality Act 2010 in the United Kingdom. This law prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion, race, disability, and sex. Hence, any action that violates this principle should be considered illegal.
Online harassment and hate speech against LGBT communities are unethical because they violate human rights, cause harm to victims, and reduce the level of love and kindness in individuals who engage in such practices. The philosophical frameworks discussed above provide different perspectives on how to evaluate such actions.
There are various legal measures that can be taken to prevent or punish perpetrators.
What philosophical frameworks guide the ethical assessment of online harassment and hate speech against LGBT communities?
One framework that may be used for evaluating online harassment and hate speech against LGBTQ+ communities is utilitarianism. This approach emphasizes the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people and considers the consequences of an action based on its impact on individuals' well-being. According to utilitarianism, online harassment and hate speech can have serious negative effects on LGBTQ+ individuals' mental health and self-esteem.