Setting moral parameters for self-driving cars involves deciding how the vehicle should prioritize various ethical considerations in potential situations. Here are some key moral settings and their explanations:

Preservation of Human Life:

Priority: The self-driving car should prioritize preserving human life above all else.
Explanation: This setting ensures that the vehicle takes actions that minimize harm to human beings, both inside and outside the car. It aligns with the ethical principle that prioritizes the well-being and safety of individuals.

Avoidance of Discrimination:

Principle: The self-driving car should not discriminate based on factors such as race, gender, age, or socioeconomic status.
Explanation: Ensuring that the car does not make decisions that favour or disfavour individuals based on irrelevant characteristics promotes fairness and equity, aligning with ethical principles of non-discrimination.

Compliance with Traffic Laws:

Adherence: The self-driving car should adhere strictly to traffic laws and regulations.
Explanation: This setting promotes the importance of following established rules and guidelines, contributing to overall road safety and order. It minimizes the risk of accidents and ensures a consistent standard for all autonomous vehicles.

Minimization of Collateral Damage:

Objective: The self-driving car should aim to minimize harm to bystanders and surrounding property in the event of an unavoidable accident.
Explanation: Even when harm is unavoidable, prioritizing actions that minimize collateral damage is ethical. This aligns with the goal of reducing the overall negative impact of an incident.

User Safety First:

Priority: The self-driving car should prioritize the safety of its occupants in emergency situations.
Explanation: This setting addresses the ethical dilemma of protecting those inside the vehicle. While preserving all lives is crucial, there may be instances where prioritizing the safety of the occupants is justifiable to prevent harm to the users who have entrusted their safety to the autonomous system.

Transparency and Accountability:

Requirement: The self-driving car should be designed to provide transparency about its decision-making process and be accountable for its actions.

Explanation: Openness and accountability are essential for gaining public trust in autonomous vehicles. By making the decision-making process transparent and holding the technology accountable for its actions, ethical considerations are integrated into the development and use of self-driving cars.

These moral settings aim to create a balance between preserving human life, avoiding discrimination, following laws, minimizing collateral damage, prioritizing user safety, and ensuring transparency and accountability. The combination of these principles helps guide the behaviour of self-driving cars in a manner that aligns with widely accepted ethical standards.