http://www.economist.com/node/21556234
This is one of the most interesting articles I have read in a long time. As robots grow more and more autonomous, they will need to be taught ethical principles to guide their actions. In particular, robots used for military purposes will face difficult dilemmas: should they attempt to take out a target if the risk of killing civilians is high? How high must the risk be for a robot to not kill its target? What if the target is responsible for killing hundreds, would the sacrifice of a few people be worth the cost? Even in more "tame" settings, robots will face difficult decisions: should a robot, perhaps one driving a car, swerve into pedestrians to avoid hitting another car?
Beyond these basic dilemmas, who or what will be responsible for robots that go astray? The engineer, the manufacturer, the programmer, the owner, or the robot? Can we really claim that a robot is morally responsible for some action? If not, and I don't see how we could blame a robot, who will be responsible for their immoral actions?
As of now, ethics will have an even more prominent place in modern society than ever before. Autonomous robots will need to be governed, they will need ethical principles to govern their behavior in all types of conceivable situations. Not only that, but they need viable principles that will conform with our intuitive notions of morality. More than anything else, I think the development of autonomous robots will show how difficult ethical theory making really is. Programming these robots will really push the issue: where will society fall? Consequentialism, deonotology, a rejection of both? Will a new theory surpass them all? Can we create a systematized and complete ethical theory to produce a robot that always behaves ethically? Without question, teaching ethics to machines will certainly sharpen our understanding of moral theory. Exciting frontier.
Perhaps the most exciting thing about this article is how it shows that modern technology cannot replace, nor should it, philosophy and the theory of morality. In fact, it forces them upon us.
Score one for philosophy.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Options for Syria
http://www.npr.org/2012/05/29/153926907/few-good-options-remain-to-end-syrian-attacks
Here is a good discussion about the current situation in Syria and the possible responses by the Western world. Joshua Landis, who speaks in this broadcast, is the director of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oklahoma. I deeply respect his opinion, and I follow his blog on Syria daily: http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/
This discussion points out the difficulties that surround any kind of intervention in Syria. Unfortunately, it seems that Syria will soon enter a brutal civil war along ethnic and tribal divisions. As the opposition to Assad's regime grows larger, the Syrian army has started arming Alawite thugs to assist their battles against the Free Syrian Army. These militias are the ones responsible for the massacre in Houla, with the government backing. Western forces are hesitant to directly intervene in Syria because of the obvious complexities in the region. Regardless, the opposition forces are receiving aid and even weapons from the West and other Arab countries. The West seems committed to forcing Assad out of power, but they are unwilling to give direct military aid. Some have drawn parallels with other civil wars in which the U.S. has provided aerial support for rebel forces in order to overthrow corrupt dictators. This method would avoid the problems of directly arming tribal forces while at the same time would give aid to the opposition and hopefully stop a full-scale civil war. Unfortunately, it may be too late for that. If the roaming militias gain enough military power, Syria will disintegrate into factions warring against each other. This would make intervention even more difficult because it will be much more difficult to decide which militia is (1) worth backing, and (2) powerful enough to stabilize the country.
Here is a good discussion about the current situation in Syria and the possible responses by the Western world. Joshua Landis, who speaks in this broadcast, is the director of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oklahoma. I deeply respect his opinion, and I follow his blog on Syria daily: http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/
This discussion points out the difficulties that surround any kind of intervention in Syria. Unfortunately, it seems that Syria will soon enter a brutal civil war along ethnic and tribal divisions. As the opposition to Assad's regime grows larger, the Syrian army has started arming Alawite thugs to assist their battles against the Free Syrian Army. These militias are the ones responsible for the massacre in Houla, with the government backing. Western forces are hesitant to directly intervene in Syria because of the obvious complexities in the region. Regardless, the opposition forces are receiving aid and even weapons from the West and other Arab countries. The West seems committed to forcing Assad out of power, but they are unwilling to give direct military aid. Some have drawn parallels with other civil wars in which the U.S. has provided aerial support for rebel forces in order to overthrow corrupt dictators. This method would avoid the problems of directly arming tribal forces while at the same time would give aid to the opposition and hopefully stop a full-scale civil war. Unfortunately, it may be too late for that. If the roaming militias gain enough military power, Syria will disintegrate into factions warring against each other. This would make intervention even more difficult because it will be much more difficult to decide which militia is (1) worth backing, and (2) powerful enough to stabilize the country.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Massacre Confirmed
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18221461
The U.N. investigated the massacre in Houla, and they have confirmed that around 90 people, including women, children, and in some cases entire families were killed in yesterday's attacks.
The U.N. investigated the massacre in Houla, and they have confirmed that around 90 people, including women, children, and in some cases entire families were killed in yesterday's attacks.
Friday, May 25, 2012
More of the Same from Assad
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/05/2012525225217995929.html
The U.N. will at least criticize Assad for slaughtering his own people—this time around 50 people were killed in Homs. Does anyone else think that we should actually do something apart from pushing paper? The Syrian people have continually called upon the Western world for help to stop the bloodshed. Thousands of people are protesting throughout Syria for the end of Assad's rule. Without question, Assad's opposition could do more to protect human rights, but something has to be done with the Syrian government. The Middle East could use one less brutal dictator oppressing his people.
The U.N. will at least criticize Assad for slaughtering his own people—this time around 50 people were killed in Homs. Does anyone else think that we should actually do something apart from pushing paper? The Syrian people have continually called upon the Western world for help to stop the bloodshed. Thousands of people are protesting throughout Syria for the end of Assad's rule. Without question, Assad's opposition could do more to protect human rights, but something has to be done with the Syrian government. The Middle East could use one less brutal dictator oppressing his people.
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