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Ethical Dilemmas in Autonomous Driving: Philosophical, Social, and Public Policy Implications

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Deception in Autonomous Transport Systems

Part of the book series: Wireless Networks ((WN))

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Abstract

As autonomous driving technology continues to advance, ethical dilemmas are emerging that raise complex philosophical, social, and public policy questions. In this paper, we explore the ethical dilemmas that arise when programming autonomous vehicles to make life-and-death decisions in situations where accidents are unavoidable. We begin by examining the trolley problem, a classic ethical thought experiment that has become a popular framework for discussing ethical dilemmas in autonomous driving. We argue that while the trolley problem can be a useful starting point for thinking about ethical dilemmas, it is ultimately limited in its ability to capture the complexity and nuance of real-world situations. There are also social and public policy implications of autonomous driving technology. For instance, the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles could lead to significant job loss in the transportation industry. Additionally, there are concerns about the impact of autonomous vehicles on urban planning, such as increased traffic congestion and the need for additional infrastructure. In conclusion, ethical dilemmas in autonomous driving pose significant challenges for society and require careful consideration of philosophical, social, and public policy implications. By engaging in ongoing ethical reflection and dialogue, we can ensure that the development and implementation of autonomous driving technology is guided by principles of justice, fairness, and respect for human dignity.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The question that emerges is relative to the ability of the individual to counter the consequences of phenomena beyond his control. Exemplis gratia, no person can prevent an earthquake strike, because that occurrence is out of his control. But is it within his potential to prevent buildings from collapsing, casualties and devastation from occurring? If the answer to this question is affirmative, then it should be expected that the same person is responsible for not preventing grim outcomes.

  2. 2.

    The parameter of time has to be encompassed in this scenario, because even if the passenger realizes the oncoming accident but he has scant time to react, then is he really responsible? If not, then who is?

  3. 3.

    AV technology and connected vehicle technology have a high level of relation, but they are different. AVs with data sharing and location detection could perform more efficiently. However, groups of people dislike that level of interconnection and allege that sensor-based systems could sufficiently support AVs (as footnote in Anderson et al. [1, p. 6]).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Emilios M. Saber, Stavros-Charalampos Kostidis & Ioannis Politis

  2. International Relations & Strategic Studies, Panteion University of Social & Political Sciences, Athens, Greece

    Emilios M. Saber

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  1. Emilios M. Saber
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  2. Stavros-Charalampos Kostidis
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  3. Ioannis Politis
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Correspondence to Ioannis Politis .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Computer Science, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK

    Simon Parkinson

  2. Department of Accountancy, Finance, Logistics, and Economics, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK

    Alexandros Nikitas

  3. Department of Computer Science, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK

    Mauro Vallati

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Saber, E.M., Kostidis, SC., Politis, I. (2024). Ethical Dilemmas in Autonomous Driving: Philosophical, Social, and Public Policy Implications. In: Parkinson, S., Nikitas, A., Vallati, M. (eds) Deception in Autonomous Transport Systems. Wireless Networks. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-55044-7_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-55044-7_2

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