The Ethics of Autonomous Cars: What Should They Do in Life or Death Situations?

The rise of autonomous cars has raised a plethora of ethical questions around the decisions that these vehicles will have to make in life or death situations. For instance, if a self-driving car is faced with a choice between hitting a pedestrian or swerving abruptly, which one should it choose? Should it prioritize the safety of the passenger, or the well-being of the pedestrians and other motorists on the road?

The answer to these questions is far from simple. However, it’s a moral conundrum that requires careful consideration and thoughtful examination from multiple perspectives. In this blog post, we’ll explore the ethical dilemmas facing autonomous cars and the various ways in which self-driving cars could navigate such situations.

Firstly, we should acknowledge the fact that autonomous cars have the potential to dramatically reduce the number of road accidents and fatalities. An autonomous vehicle with accurate sensors and advanced decision-making software could perceive and predict potential hazards better than human drivers, making the roads safer for everyone. However, accidents will still occur, and the moral and ethical implications of these accidents are amplified when the car is self-driving.

One approach to this issue is the utilitarian perspective, which prioritizes the greater good for the most number of people. In this viewpoint, the autonomous vehicle should always choose the option that minimizes casualties, regardless of who is affected. This might mean a self-driving car swerving off the road and damaging the car and its passengers to avoid hitting pedestrians on the road.

On the other hand, some argue that self-driving cars should prioritize the safety of their passengers. After all, the passengers in an autonomous vehicle have placed their trust in the vehicle’s technology, and thus, the car owes them a duty to keep them safe. Following this reasoning, a self-driving car would avoid any risky maneuvers that could harm or endanger their passengers.

Another perspective is that of deontological ethics that insist on following the rules and moral codes of society. To this end, self-driving cars could be programmed to follow traffic regulations strictly and to ensure the welfare of all persons involved. For example, an autonomous car might obey traffic signals and stop signs, even if that means hitting a pedestrian attempting to get across the street.

Finally, we have those who favor a virtue ethics approach, which stresses the importance of making an ethical decision based on the context and individual actions taken in the moment. In this case, self-driving cars would have to assess each situation on a case-by-case basis. For example, they would take into consideration the time of day, weather, and other factors that could affect the outcome of a decision.

In conclusion, the ethics of autonomous cars is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach. The considerations must extend beyond the safety of passengers and pedestrians to include broader concerns about our social values, the needs of society and the role they play in public safety. It is probable that the optimal approach will vary depending on the situation, and we may need to continue to refine our expectations of technology to reach clear ethical standards that work for everyone.