Mill, J. S. (1873). AutobiographyLinks to an external site.. BLTC Research. http://www.utilitarianism.com/millauto/
• This book is a fascinating account of Mill’s prodigious childhood and education, including an account of his nervous breakdown at the age of 19 and how he emerged from that. It provides detailed insight into why his theory of utilitarianism departed from Bentham’s. This work may assist you in your Week 2 discussions.
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Mill, J. S. (2017). UtilitarianismLinks to an external site. (J. Bennett, Ed.). Early Modern Texts.
• This same text found in your textbook has language slightly changed to align more closely with contemporary English. This book may assist you with your Week 2 discussions.
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Overview
In this written assignment, you will create an ethics case study based on provided topics, resources, and ethical questions. Your tasks here are to present the case study and the information necessary to consider it. You will choose one of the ethical questions provided with the case study and discuss the central moral controversy the question addresses. You will also briefly apply utilitarianism to the case study. This written assignment should be an essay and include the following sections and headings.
Part 1: Introduction, Case Study
In this section, you will create the case study. To complete this section,
• Choose a case study from the selection provided by your instructor in the Week 2 announcement titled “Week 2 Case Studies.”
• Present a brief introduction to the case study.
• Discuss background information provided in one of the resources.
This section should be around 300 words.
Part 2: Ethical Question
In this section, discuss one of the ethical questions provided with the case study. To complete this section,
• State the ethical question you have chosen to discuss and place it at the beginning of the section in bold font.
• Discuss the ethical question by considering two or more of the following:
o What is the central moral controversy at the heart of the ethical question?
o What ethical or societal values are at stake in the question?
o Who is impacted by the issue or moral controversy?
o What might it say about us as individuals or society depending on how we answer the ethical question?
Full Answer Section
Background Information (Adapted from Mill, J. S. (2017). Utilitarianism)
John Stuart Mill, a prominent philosopher, proposed the ethical theory of utilitarianism. Utilitarianism emphasizes maximizing overall happiness and well-being for the greatest number of people. In this situation, the car's decision-making process aligns with utilitarian principles by attempting to minimize total harm.
This case study presents a complex ethical dilemma. No matter which path the car chooses, someone is likely to be injured. Utilitarianism provides a framework to analyze the situation, but it doesn't offer a clear-cut answer.
Part 2: Ethical Question
Bold Text: Is it ethically justifiable to program self-driving cars to prioritize the safety of the car's passengers, even if it means potentially harming more people outside the vehicle?
This ethical question highlights the central moral controversy surrounding the development and use of self-driving cars. It forces us to consider the value of human life and the ethical implications of sacrificing some lives to potentially save others.
Several ethical and societal values are at stake here. The principle of
preserving human life is paramount. The car's decision should aim to minimize casualties. However, the concept of
fairness also comes into play. Why should the lives of the car's passengers be prioritized over those outside the vehicle? Additionally, the issue of
accountability arises. Who is responsible if the car makes a fatal decision – the programmer, the car manufacturer, or no one at all?
The answer to this ethical question has a significant impact on various stakeholders. Pedestrians and occupants of other vehicles are directly affected by the car's decision-making process. Car manufacturers and programmers face legal and ethical repercussions depending on the car's behavior. Ultimately, society as a whole needs to grapple with the ethical implications of self-driving cars and establish guidelines for their programming.
By deliberating on this question, we can determine how comfortable we are with delegating life-or-death decisions to machines. Do we prioritize the safety of those "inside the box" – the car's passengers – or do we strive for a more impartial approach that values all human lives equally? As a society, the answer to this ethical question shapes the future of self-driving cars and the ethical principles they embody.
Sample Answer
Part 1: Introduction, Case Study
Case Study: Self-Driving Car Accident
Imagine a self-driving car traveling down a busy highway. An unexpected event occurs – a child darts out into the road. The car's programming is designed to prioritize passenger safety. However, in order to avoid hitting the child, the car must swerve, potentially causing a collision with another vehicle carrying multiple passengers. There is no perfect solution. The car's automated system must make a split-second decision that could result in harm to some, but not all, of the people involved.