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The Search for a Moral Metaphysics in Artificial Intelligence Robot Medicine: The Responsibility of an Electronic Human in Medicine

  • Korean Journal of Medical Ethics
  • Abbr : 의료윤리
  • 2018, 21(2), pp.143-156
  • DOI : 10.35301/ksme.2018.21.2.143
  • Publisher : The Korean Society For Medical Ethics
  • Research Area : Medicine and Pharmacy > General Medicine
  • Received : May 15, 2018
  • Accepted : June 15, 2018
  • Published : June 30, 2018

Jeong Chang-rok 1

1경북대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

The European Parliament is currently considering a proposal to grant artificial intelligence (AI) robots the legal status of “electronic persons”. This article examines the metaphysical status of AI robots and considers the some of the ethical questions that arise from the use of AI robots in the practice of medicine. In particular, would electronic human doctors have rights? And to what extent could they be held responsible for their behavior? In answering these questions this article considers the concept of a “kill switch” and how it relates to the notion of freedom that is presupposed by a Kantian understanding of responsibility. The article also outlines some of the new horizons opened up by the arrival of Watson in medicine, including the emergence of “self-care medicine” and the possibility of “universal self-care.” This article argues that in light of the advent of electronic human doctors, the new role for human health care personnel is that of a “kill switcher.”

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.

This paper was written with support from the National Research Foundation of Korea.