Lecture on the Trolley Problem and Ethical Dilemmas in Autonomous Vehicles

Introduction

• Discussion on the dangers of sneezing while driving versus the benefits of self-driving cars.
• Raises a moral question regarding decision-making in autonomous vehicles.

The Trolley Problem

• Originated by British philosopher Philippa Foot in 1967.
• Scenario: A runaway train heading towards five people, with the option to pull a lever to divert the train to a track with one person.
• Most people choose to pull the lever and sacrifice one to save five, highlighting a moral dilemma.

Human Behavior vs Hypotheticals

• Real-life actions may not align with stated intentions in hypothetical scenarios.
• Psychological consequences of making such decisions in real-life contexts have not been thoroughly tested.

Ethical Implications of Experimentation

• Concerns about conducting real-life trolley problem experiments due to potential psychological harm.
• Ethical boards like Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) evaluate the risks versus benefits of such experiments.
• Historical context: References to Stanley Milgram's controversial obedience experiments.

Conducting a Real Trolley Problem Experiment

• Creation of a staged experiment mimicking the trolley problem.
• Use of video and actors to simulate a real-world situation.
• Steps to ensure ethical conduct:
  • Participant screening for psychological vulnerabilities.
  • On-site trauma counseling.
  • Transparent debriefing after the experiment.

Participant Reactions

• Varied responses from participants: Some chose to act, others froze or looked for alternative explanations.
• Highlights individual differences in decision-making under pressure.

Reflections and Conclusions

• Understanding the discrepancy between philosophical reflection and instinct.
• Importance of balancing ethical concerns with potential societal benefits.
• Insight into human psychology and moral decision-making processes.

Implications for Technology

• Discussion on programming moral decisions into machines like autonomous vehicles.
• The importance of carefully considering ethical dilemmas in technology development.

Summary

• Highlights the importance of ethical considerations in psychological and technological experimentation.
• Acknowledges the complexity of human moral decision-making and the potential for technology to assist.