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The Trolley Problem and Ethics for Autonomous Vehicles
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:47
Abstract
In this course the relevant philosophical and neuropsychological literature on moral justifications in trolley cases will be discussed (Foot, Thomson, Kamm, Otsuka, Kagan, Greene, Haidt, Berker, Kamm). Applications of such moral reasoning in cases potentially arising in autonomous robots (Rahwan, Nyholm and Smids, Wolkenstein) will be considered.
Objective
Students will get an overview on the philosophy of Trolley cases and of different contemporary approaches to ethics of autonomous vehicles based on such cases. They are enabled to further developing their abilities to understand complex theories, to critically reflect on them and to put them up for discussion.
Content
The moral impermissibility of killing innocent is generally valid – or so it seems from an intuitive point of view. However, there are situations where people can only be saved if others are killed, for example in natural disasters, medical emergencies or humanitarian interventions. In some of these situations our intuitions stay clear and unique: It is not permissible to kill, even in order to save many lives, for example to take the vital organs of a lightly sick patient in order to save many more severely ill other patients. In other situations, our intuitions might be less clear: Can it be right to target a highjacked fully occupied plane flying toward a crowded stadium? Or to turn a switch, so that an out of control trolley does not roll over 5 persons on his track, but gets deflected onto a track where one person is trapped? In this lecture we will first discuss such cases: the famous Trolley cases. Are there any justifications for the exception to the impermissibility of killing and if yes, in what situation exactly and why? Secondly, we will consider newer solutions to the Trolley Problem using neurosciences as well as critiques of this kind of method. Finally, attempts to apply such moral reasoning on allegedly analogous cases arising in autonomous robots will be discussed.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DS , MSC
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise |
The Trolley Problem and Ethics for Autonomous Vehicles
Lecture: Wednesday
, 14-16
Exercise: Tuesday
, 16- 18 or Friday, 12-14
|
No time listed | 2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Science in Perspective (In “Science in Perspective”-courses students learn to reflect on ETH’s STEM subjects from the perspective of humanities, political and social sciences. Only the courses listed below will be recognized as "Science in Perspective" courses.)
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Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence (SiP courses are recommended for bachelor students after their first-year examination and for all master- or doctoral students. All SiP courses are listed in Type A. Courses listed under Type B are only recommendations for enrollment for specific departments.)
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