Technological developments often involve ethical considerations. One currently relevant example is the discussion around how autonomous vehicles (self-driving cars) should be programmed. A recent survey found that while most people agree everyone would be better off if self-driving vehicles were programmed to minimize casualties, they themselves would prefer to ride in a self-driving vehicle programmed to protect them at all costs. How do you explain this apparent contradiction in thought?
Imagine you are shopping for a car and having a choice:
- A car that sacrifices a driver on occasion.
- A preserve the passenger at all cost’s car.
Which would you choose?
How did the short video (or longer article if you chose to read it) affect your thinking? For example, explain how the video/article deepened your understanding of an issue, confirmed ideas, or raised new questions.
For this blog post, make sure you address both of the questions (see above).
Source: This case is based on the article, "People Want Driverless Cars With Utilitarian Ethics, Unless They're A Passenger." If you're interested in this topic, I encourage you to read the article!
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBkQQ6czRJI&feature=youtu.be