Author(s): Jordan Birkner
Mentor(s): Dr. Gary Comstock
Room: 3221
In this paper, I question the benefits of potential Moral Enhancement Technologies proposed for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Considering my own experiences as diagnosed with ASD, I do not believe that there is substantial research proving any significant deficits in moral decision-making between autistic and non-autistic populations. However, even if it is assumed that there is a natural immorality associated with autism, I argue that technologies proposed in therapeutic, medical, and engineering strategies are not only insufficient for moral enhancements, but actively harmful for those diagnosed with ASD. Objections to these claims can be seen in potential results and implications for potential technologies. Moral enhancements are a controversial philosophical topic, but if potential methods of such are discussed in potentially developed and perfected future forms, it can be understood that a target population of this technological utilization would be seen for those with ASD. Those with autism have faced numerous societal misperceptions through history, including that of a lack of empathy and difficulty with what Kohlberg deemed “post-conventional morality”. If technologies are able to standardize “Theory of Mind”, consistently higher moral judgments throughout society have potential to be observed. I rebut each mentioned support for categories of moral enhancement technologies through analyzing potential results and harms impacting the ASD population, including deleterious impacts on resources and independence. I conclude that each potentially beneficial strategy of moral enhancement technologies for those with ASD are incomparable to the impending harms to persons upon implementation.
Presented on April 25 at the North Carolina State University's Office of Undergraduate Research's 32nd Annual Spring Undergraduate Research & Creativity Symposium. Abstract booklet can be found here.
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