ThoughtGallery.org > Consciousness Club #34: Buddhists and the Trolley Problem—Implications for AI Ethics

Consciousness Club #34: Buddhists and the Trolley Problem—Implications for AI Ethics

Speaker: Kin Cheung (Moravian College)

Abstract: A 2017 article in The Atlantic by Alexis C. Madrigal is titled “If Buddhist Monks Trained AI.” The subheading is “Monks take on the trolley problem, a classic moral dilemma that has big implications for driverless cars.” Buddhists are outliers in their responses to the trolley problem sets because they would push the large person. I explore possible reasons for their position including the role of intention and the impact of karma. Though there are scholars who argue Buddhist ethics is most closely matched with virtue ethics, consequentialism, or even deontology, I hold the position that Buddhist ethics is interesting precisely because it does not fit neatly into one of the three main Western ethical systems. This talk investigates Buddhist stances and their implications for the development of autonomous vehicles and AI ethics in general.

Entrance is free. Registration is required.

This event will be held on Wednesday, September 26th, 6:00pm* at WeWork Park South’s 10th Floor Lounge, New York, NY.

*Please note that the doors will close at 6:15pm.

The Consciousness Club NYC is a study group to promote broadly transdisciplinary discussions on the neural and computational bases of consciousness, and how these concepts can be applied to other fields of interest.

Everyone is welcome to our meetings, from scientists to philosophers, to artists, technologists, and engineers.

The Consciousness Club NYC is an initiative of YHouse, Inc.











When: Wed., Sep. 26, 2018 at 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Where: WeWork Park South
110 E. 28th St., 8th Floor Lounge

Price: Free
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Speaker: Kin Cheung (Moravian College)

Abstract: A 2017 article in The Atlantic by Alexis C. Madrigal is titled “If Buddhist Monks Trained AI.” The subheading is “Monks take on the trolley problem, a classic moral dilemma that has big implications for driverless cars.” Buddhists are outliers in their responses to the trolley problem sets because they would push the large person. I explore possible reasons for their position including the role of intention and the impact of karma. Though there are scholars who argue Buddhist ethics is most closely matched with virtue ethics, consequentialism, or even deontology, I hold the position that Buddhist ethics is interesting precisely because it does not fit neatly into one of the three main Western ethical systems. This talk investigates Buddhist stances and their implications for the development of autonomous vehicles and AI ethics in general.

Entrance is free. Registration is required.

This event will be held on Wednesday, September 26th, 6:00pm* at WeWork Park South’s 10th Floor Lounge, New York, NY.

*Please note that the doors will close at 6:15pm.

The Consciousness Club NYC is a study group to promote broadly transdisciplinary discussions on the neural and computational bases of consciousness, and how these concepts can be applied to other fields of interest.

Everyone is welcome to our meetings, from scientists to philosophers, to artists, technologists, and engineers.

The Consciousness Club NYC is an initiative of YHouse, Inc.

Buy tickets/get more info now