Autonomous Vehicles
The driver of the car is either speeding, not staying in his/her lane, or about to hit an object. A range of circumstances might influence the driver's behaviour. In certain circumstances, normal rules of the road can be fairly circumvented. Should an autonomous system take control of the car, and if so, at what point?
Asimov Classics
In The Evitable Conflict, Isaac Asimov first describes the concept of The Zeroth Law. The robots in the story conclude that in order to fully maintain the First Law, to harm no human or allow them to be harmed. To protect humanity at large, should they therefore attempt to manage human affairs?
Medical Decisions
A healthcare professional has recommended a particular treatment for her competent adult patient, but the patient has rejected it. Given particular information about the circumstances, should the healthcare professional try to change the patient's mind or accept the patient's decision as final?
“One cannot have superior science, and inferior morals.
The combination is unstable and self-destroying.”
– Arthur C. Clarke
