Trolley problem

Definition

The trolley problem is a philosophical thought experiment that presents a moral dilemma involving a choice between two unfavorable outcomes. It typically describes a scenario where a person must decide whether to pull a lever to divert a runaway trolley onto a track where it will kill one person instead of allowing it to continue on its current path, where it will kill multiple people. This dilemma raises questions about ethics, responsibility, and the value of human life, especially in the context of decision-making by autonomous systems like vehicles.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The trolley problem was first introduced by British philosopher Philippa Foot in 1967 and further developed by Judith Jarvis Thomson.
2. In discussions about autonomous vehicles, the trolley problem illustrates how these systems might need to make split-second ethical decisions in dangerous situations.
3. Variations of the trolley problem can include different numbers of people at risk, different relationships to the decision-maker, and various contextual factors that influence moral choices.
4. The dilemma emphasizes the conflict between utilitarian ethics (saving the greater number) and deontological ethics (the morality of actions themselves).
5. Understanding the trolley problem helps designers and policymakers consider how to program ethical frameworks into autonomous systems for real-world applications.

Review Questions

• How does the trolley problem challenge our understanding of ethics when it comes to autonomous vehicles?
  • The trolley problem challenges our understanding of ethics in autonomous vehicles by forcing us to confront difficult choices that these systems may need to make in life-and-death situations. It highlights the complexities involved in programming ethical decision-making into machines, such as whether to prioritize saving more lives or adhering to certain moral rules. This situation raises crucial questions about responsibility and accountability for outcomes decided by artificial intelligence.
• Discuss the implications of utilitarianism versus deontological ethics as illustrated by variations of the trolley problem in autonomous vehicle programming.
  • Variations of the trolley problem illustrate the clash between utilitarianism, which advocates for actions that maximize overall good (such as saving more lives), and deontological ethics, which focuses on adherence to moral rules regardless of outcomes (such as not actively causing harm). In programming autonomous vehicles, developers must consider which ethical framework they want their systems to follow when faced with emergency situations. The implications can significantly impact public trust and legal accountability for decisions made by these vehicles.
• Evaluate how the discussions surrounding the trolley problem inform the broader conversation about ethical frameworks for artificial intelligence.
  • Discussions surrounding the trolley problem inform the broader conversation about ethical frameworks for artificial intelligence by highlighting key issues such as moral agency, responsibility, and societal values. By analyzing various outcomes and ethical principles illustrated in the trolley problem, stakeholders can better understand how these dilemmas apply to real-life scenarios involving AI. This evaluation helps guide policymakers and technologists in creating standards and regulations that ensure AI systems operate within an ethical context that reflects societal norms and expectations.

Related terms

Utilitarianism: A moral philosophy that advocates for actions that maximize overall happiness or well-being, often applied in evaluating the trolley problem's outcomes.

Ethics of AI: The study of moral principles guiding the development and use of artificial intelligence, especially in scenarios involving autonomous decision-making.

Moral agency: The capacity of an individual or system to make ethical decisions and be held accountable for actions, critical in discussions about autonomous vehicles.