Future Morality

In this wide-ranging anthology, philosopher Edmonds (The Murder of Professor Schlick) brings together some of the brightest minds in philosophy and ethics to discuss the future. Among the topics considered by the 29 contributors are predicted changes to health, communication, and humans’ relationship to machines. To that end, Jess Whittlestone weighs in on how artificial intelligence can remove bias from medical diagnoses and improve decision making, and Rebecca Roache examines how friendships have changed as a result of social media and automation. Ann Barnhill and Ruth R. Faden, meanwhile, explore how plant-based diets can help alleviate the climate crisis. Some topics are straightforward—such as Bridget Williams’s argument for using advanced tracking to plan for the health of future communities today. Others are less so: Brian D. Earp questions how, if gender abolitionists have their way, those who identify as trans will be able to adapt to the loss of gendered distinctions. Others highlight issues not yet on most readers’ radars, such as Seumas Miller on the morality of using predictive policing technologies to fight crime or David Edmonds on the safety and ethics of driverless cars. This comprehensive overview of looming ethical issues goes a long way toward equipping readers with the tools to work out their own answers to sticky questions. (Nov.)