Jump to content

Could robots ever be truly capable of making ethical decisions?

Ladymuck

By Ladymuck
in The Lounge

 Share

Recommended Posts

Ladymuck

Ladymuck

Posted
Posted

Until 10 minutes ago, I would have opined: probably not. However, having read this article, I am no longer certain. So, given that human beings themselves possess differing views on what to base ethical principles and on how those principles should be applied, could robots be programmed to make moral decisions?






Incidentally, it is the antics of a (now banned) forumite that have given rise to this cogitation!

Ladymuck

Ladymuck

Posted
  • Author
Posted

waynetta Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> What robot has been banned from the forum?


*huge weary sigh*


No robot has been banned...


I should, ideally, delete that last line (it's merely an aside), but then your post would look most peculiar waynetta...


*further sigh*

  • 3 weeks later...
Alec John Moore

Alec John Moore

Posted
Posted

A very lifelike - in a Madame Tussauds kind of way - mannequin controlled by someone in the wings so not exactly capable of independent thought or action.


Edited to muse: "Of course, on the internet the absence of tone of voice and body language mean that the subtleties that suggest a gently ironic response may not be conveyed effectively or at all in some cases."


*Thinks* "Some posters use descriptive asides, internet acronyms and smileys to indicate tone of voice and contextualising actions but I tend to find that a bit awkward."


Edited to add: Was thinking but didn't say that, in relation to the OP, I was thinking that as the lifelike robot in the play, it is merely an extension of the human. In this case it's in actions but re the questions of robots being capable of ethical decisions, well they are too complex to be programmed in a simple logcial way and even then they would be extensions or expressions of human ethical decision making processes but just more limited.


Edited to say: *Thinks* "If this was a work email I'd be signing off: 'Hope that helps.'"

Ladymuck

Ladymuck

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Pretty too!


But it's one thing being able to act, sing, dance, chat and what have you. Possessing emotions, knowing right from wrong, being able to reason (as we do) etc. is quite another. Could a machine therefore ever be equipped with the technology to make ethical decisions in the way that we do?

Jeremy

Jeremy

Posted
Posted

Ladymuck Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Could a machine therefore ever be equipped with the technology to make ethical decisions in the way that we do?



That depends... can we formalise ethics as a set of logical rules? I think we probably can.


But why would we want to do that?

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Advertise Here

  • Latest Discussions

    • Jules-and-Boo
      Anyone living on Croxted Road

      By Jules-and-Boo · Posted

      I think, with schools, you really have to find the one that suits your child, rather than moving to a school catchment and then hoping it works. Mine both went to a high ranking and covetable school and had very different experiences - one loved it and the other was bullied and traumatised, and hated it. WE actually moved away because she couldn't walk around the area (yes - Dulwich area, so one of the local schools).
    • Jamesh31
      Anyone living on Croxted Road

      By Jamesh31 · Posted

      We live a little further down, on Pymers Mead. Traffic is terrible (always has been, but worse since the introduction of the Southwark LTNs). It's mainly the school drop -- traffic is noticeably lighter once the private schools break up  Have a few friends who live on that side of CR backing on to the train line. None has had any major complaints and the gardens on that stretch are fairly long, so you're not right on the line. Some have kids who go to Charter North -- its catchment defintely extends to Croxted Road. Other state secondaries nearby are Elmgreen and, of course, Kingsdale, although that doesn't have a catchment -- pure lottery
    • byngo
      Jewellery making? Recommendations

      By byngo · Posted

      Hi. Does anyone know of a silver making jewellery workshop. I am trying to find something nice for my daughter’s 18th birthday.l for her and some friends but everything I find online is too pricey or can’t accommodate 10 girls. Thanks 
    • beansprout
      Anyone living on Croxted Road

      By beansprout · Posted

      Without doubt a busy road with constant traffic - but can always put in double glazing. If you have a car, don’t expect to park right outside - prob further away but with walking distance. Agree with PeckhamNicola re train times and freight but at least not wizzing by every few minutes! Sorry but little experience in state schools - obviously you have plenty of private - Jags Dulwich College, Alleyns. Judith Kerr on Half Moon Lane - good rep - no idea whether secondary or primary  - think primary. Also Charter School North - good reputation and Ark Evelyn - no idea! You might also look at West Dulwichand Crystal Palace Schools. Try Harris Academy as well. All the best.

East Dulwich Forum

Established in 2006, we are an online community discussion forum for people who live, work in and visit SE22.

Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...