The Machine Question: Critical Perspectives on AI, Robots, and Ethics

by David J. Gunkel

An investigation into the assignment of moral responsibilities and rights to intelligent and autonomous machines of our own making.One of the enduring concerns of moral philosophy is deciding who or what is deserving of ethical consideration. Much recent attention has been devoted to the "animal question"—consideration of the moral status of nonhuman animals. In this book, David Gunkel takes up the "machine question": whether and to what extent intelligent and autonomous machines of our own making can be considered to have legitimate moral responsibilities and any legitimate claim to moral consideration.

The machine question poses a fundamental challenge to moral thinking, questioning the traditional philosophical conceptualization of technology as a tool or instrument to be used by human agents. Gunkel begins by addressing the question of machine moral whether a machine might be considered a legitimate moral agent that could be held responsible for decisions and actions. He then approaches the machine question from the other side, considering whether a machine might be a moral patient due legitimate moral consideration. Finally, Gunkel considers some recent innovations in moral philosophy and critical theory that complicate the machine question, deconstructing the binary agent–patient opposition itself.

Technological advances may prompt us to wonder if the science fiction of computers and robots whose actions affect their human companions (think of HAL in 2001: A Space Odyssey) could become science fact. Gunkel's argument promises to influence future considerations of ethics, ourselves, and the other entities who inhabit this world.

Genres: Philosophy, Science, Technology, Nonfiction, Artificial Intelligence, Academic, Computers

271 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 13, 2012

About the author

David J. Gunkel is Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Department of Communication at Northern Illinois University. He is the author of The Machine Question, Of Remixology, Robot Rights (all published by the MIT Press), and other books.

Reviews

[Karl Hallbjörnsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best and most comprehensive book on ethics i've ever read

[Ryan Pennell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Machine Question:

I think "What is deserving of ethical consideration" is a faily acruate representaiton of the thesis of this book. Maybe, whether a machine could ever be considered for ethical consideration is better.
Gunkel bring up points I never would have thought of my own, or even knew were up for debate. throughout history people have philosophized whether 'the other' have the capacity to suffer and the 'fact that one cannot know with any certitude whether the other who confront me either has a conscious mind or not." For instance "Animal rights philosophy not only challenged the anthropocentric tradition in ethics but redefined the club of consideranda." I think Gunkel does this with whether or not a machine could ever be considered the same. This is an excellent book. My only two gripes are the price is a little high and I much prefer footnotes to this style of citations. If you have any interest in the subject I highly suggest The Machine Question.

[Maud van Lier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is hard to review. Gunkel has a lot of knowledge and great analytic skill. However, he sometimes makes rather rash logical connections that do not really obtain. Also, in the style of Derrida, he rejects all theories without providing another theory in its place. The whole book you get excited about an approach and then he shoots it down. In the end he does actually provide a working theory for machines, but without noticing it. The book shows great skill in analysis of other works, but not a whole lot of independent thinking. When it is there, it is quite hidden from the author himself. A book to read but to be annoyed by. 3.5.

[Harry Fulgencio · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction on how to think about Ethics that goes beyond the human or anthropocentric ethics.

[Suvradip Maitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gunkel provides a rigorous analysis of Western ethical thought on of ethics from the lens of machines. Ultimately the reader is left with an incredible overview of the subject but is left wishing Gunkel provided a stronger conclusion based on his independent thoughts. A must for anyone looking for an introduction to ‘the machine question’.