Ethics Reflective Essay: I, Robot

Name Tutor Course Date Ethics Reflective Essay In the film I, Robot there are significant issues that arise as warranting sufficient ethical discussion. In terms of the plot, this film follows the maturation of the artificial intelligence system VIKI and its assumption of control over NS-5 robots that it uses to kill other robots as well as human beings. Upon realization of this plan, detective Del Spooner and robopsychologist Susan Calvin team up with the robot Sonny to thwart VIKIs plan and rescue humanity. As far as this film is concerned, artificial intelligence and robotics play a central role as the core driving technologies of the film, as well as the two technologies that have been harnessed for malicious intent against humanity. In one scene, VIKI posits that humanity’s own weaknesses are inherently likely to cause the entire extinction of the human race, hence the need to sacrifice some humans and restrain human behavior in order to save the rest of humanity. This raises critical ethical questions based on the utilitarian approach. According to the utilitarian approach, VIKI’s actions are justified, seeing as sacrificing a few humans and restraining the behaviors of its majority will do well to ensure the continued success and survival of the human race. This position is reiterated by Sonny who confirms that ‘understands’ VIKI’s logic but that the plan in itself is ‘too heartless’. While the morality of VIKI’s actions may be questioned, the logical assessment that informs this action is solid and accurate, which further rai...