Machine morality, moral progress, and the looming environmental disaster. Issue 2 (10th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kenward, Ben; Sinclair, Thomas
• Is Part Of: Cognitive computation and systems. Volume 3:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 83
• Page End: 90
• Publication Date: 2021-06-10
• Subjects: Cognitive science -- Periodicals; Artificial intelligence -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Computer science -- Periodicals; Neurosciences; Computer science; Cognitive science; Artificial intelligence; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 006.3
• DOI: 10.1049/ccs2.12027
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2517-7567

Abstract

Abstract: The creation of artificial moral systems requires making difficult choices about which of varying human value sets should be instantiated. The industry‐standard approach is to seek and encode moral consensus. Here the authors' argue, based on evidence from empirical psychology, that encoding current moral consensus risks reinforcing current norms, and thus inhibiting moral progress. However, so do efforts to encode progressive norms. Machine ethics is thus caught between a rock and a hard place. The problem is particularly acute when progress beyond prevailing moral norms is particularly urgent, as is currently the case due to the inadequacy of prevailing moral norms in the face of the climate and ecological crisis.