Self-protective versus utilitarian autonomous vehicles

Abstract

The following examination focuses on the moral dilemmas surrounding the comparison of self-protective and utilitarian autonomous vehicles. These vehicles can be programmed to prioritize the safety of passengers in an accident or prioritize the greater good to save more lives. The essay will explore various ethical questions such as evaluating the numbers game approach, analyzing the principles of beneficence correlated with social inequality, and interpreting the principle of autonomy in the context of autonomous vehicles. Additionally, the examination will consider the harm–benefit ratio. In the sense of methods, this analysis uses the classical issues in a new way and provides recommendations for decision-makers to consider.