Dmitria Lukoskie
ENGR 19
Winter 2K2

Different Ethical Perspectives

The Fairness (or Justice Perspective)

The Utilitarian Perspective

• Focuses on the consequences that actions or policies have on the well-being ("utility") of all persons directly or indirectly affected by the action or policy.
• The principle state: "Of any two actions, the most ethical one will produce the greatest balance of benefits over harms."

The Utilitarian Perspective would say that artificial intelligence research should be monitored to safeguard against harmful consequences.

The Rights Perspective

• Identifies certain fundamental civil, political and economic rights that merit protection or respect because they pertain to the dignity of the human person.
• Each person has a fundamental right to be respected and treated as a free and equal rational person capable of making his or her own decisions.
• Examples of rights that are traditionally recognized in this approach include: the right to privacy, autonomy, the right to subsistence, freedom of conscience, the right to physical integrity, etc.
• The principle state: "Act in ways that respect the dignity of other persons by honoring or protecting their legitimate moral right."

The Rights Perspective would say that the researchers have the right to create or explore any of the possibilities artificial intelligence has.

The Fairness (or Justice Perspective)

• Focuses on how fairly or unfairly our actions distribute benefits and burdens among the member of a group.
• Fairness requires consistency in the way people are treated.
• Examples of what is offered as morally justifiable reasons for treating people differently: need, merit, effort, fault, etc.
• The principle states: "Treat people the same unless there are morally relevant differences between them."

The Fairness or Justice Perspective would say that if artificial intelligence research is monitored that research in all areas should be monitored.

The Common Good Perspective

• Presents a vision of society as a community whose members are joined in a shared pursuit of values and goals they hold in common.
• The community is comprised of individuals whose own good is inextricably bound to the good of the whole.
• The principle states: "What is ethical is what advances the common good."

The Common Good Perspective would say that advancements in artificial intelligence is good as long as human lifestyle benefits from it.

The Virtue Perspective

• Focuses on attitudes, dispositions, or character traits that enable us to be and to act in whaty that develop our human potential.
• Examples: honesty, courage, faithfulness, trustworthiness, integrity, compassion, etc.
• The principle states: "What is ethical is what develops moral virtues in ourselves and our communities."

The Virtue Perspective would say that artificial intelligence is good because it will expand and help develop our moral virtues.

* definitions taken from Approaching Ethics Handout from Markkula Center for Applied Ethics