Autonomous Vehicle Ethics: The Trolley Problem and Beyond

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ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BBH4VD85
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press (September 6, 2022)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 6, 2022
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 2171 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 522 pages

Autonomous Vehicle Ethics: The Trolley Problem and Beyond

The rise of autonomous vehicles has brought about a whole new set of ethical dilemmas that society must grapple with. One of the most famous thought experiments in ethics, the trolley problem, is often used to illustrate the moral complexities of autonomous vehicles.

The trolley problem poses a scenario where a trolley is barreling down a track towards five people who will be killed if it continues on its current path. However, the trolley can be switched to another track where only one person will be killed. The question then becomes: should the trolley be switched, sacrificing one life to save five?

In the context of autonomous vehicles, this dilemma becomes even more complicated. How should an autonomous vehicle programmed with the trolley problem scenario decide who to prioritize in a potential accident? Should it prioritize the lives of its passengers over pedestrians? Should it prioritize the lives of pedestrians over its passengers?

Beyond the trolley problem, there are numerous other ethical considerations that arise in the realm of autonomous vehicles. How should autonomous vehicles navigate situations where there is no clear “right” choice? Should they prioritize the safety of their passengers at all costs, even if it means harming others? How should autonomous vehicles be programmed to handle situations where there is no clear ethical solution?

As we continue to develop and integrate autonomous vehicles into our society, it is crucial that we engage in thoughtful and nuanced discussions about the ethical implications of this technology. We must consider not only the potential benefits of autonomous vehicles in terms of safety and efficiency, but also the ethical challenges that they present. Only by addressing these ethical dilemmas head-on can we ensure that autonomous vehicles are developed and deployed in a way that aligns with our values as a society.
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