Philosophical Themes in Mass Effect

Michael Aristidou, Brian Basallo

DigiPen Institute of Technology, Redmond, USA.
Mathematics and Natural Sciences, American University of Kuwait, Salmiya, Kuwait.

DOI: 10.4236/ojpp.2014.42025                

Abstract

In this paper we will analyze some decisions a player has to make as Shepard, the main character from the popular video game Mass Effect. We will view those decisions through the lenses of two philosophical positions, utilitarianism and Nietzsche’s “will to power”, and connect those and other dilemmas to our own world today. We will also discuss ways how Mass Effect could be integrated into and be a useful aid for an introductory philosophy class.

Keywords

Video Games, Utilitarianism, Will to Power, Nietzsche, Argument

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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