E-LOGOS 2024, 31(2):4-18 | DOI: 10.18267/j.e-logos.507

Radiant Work – The Ethics of Menial Employment and the Manufactured Quest

Jack Whatley
Bradford University, United Kingdom

The field of modern work bears striking similarities to the inner workings of leisure pursuits such as the fantasy video games of the Elder Scrolls series in at least one small part – the quests pursued by players are often menial, and serve no explicit purpose save their very existence. Petty renumeration, meaningless aesthetic gifts; these are not fulfilment nor are they worthy reward for the work done to earn them. This work seeks to evaluate the nature of work of this type and do so through a similar analysis of the Radiant AI and the imperatives it doles out to players. Moreover, we shall delve into the issue of depth and nuance in the design of adventure games and the lack thereof when the task of game design is delegated to an AI and will summarily provide insight into enjoyment and fulfilment in the spheres of work and leisure.

Keywords: Normative Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, Games, Philosophy of Work, Autonomy

Received: April 3, 2024; Revised: April 3, 2024; Accepted: December 20, 2024; Published: December 31, 2024  Show citation

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Whatley, J. (2024). Radiant Work – The Ethics of Menial Employment and the Manufactured Quest. E-LOGOS, 31(2), 4-18. doi: 10.18267/j.e-logos.507
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