Thermonator

Background: The Thermonator can be used for a variety of purposes: entertainment, snow and ice removal, agricultural management, etc. Despite its possibilities, many people are concerned about whether its use should be allowed because of its dangerous feature. The Thermonator is able to send streams of fire up to 30 feet for an hour. The owners control the fire throwing robot with their smartphones; the camera installed lets them see the same view as the robot. Although easy to command, it could cause irreversible disaster once it goes out of control.

Description of Ethical Issues: The Thermonator enables owners to throw long streams of fire easily. However, its nature could cause a disaster if not handled in the right way. Even if the owner realizes that he mishandled the robot, he is unable to contain the fire, because the only function the Thermonator is to throw fire. It could also end up in the hands of criminals, allowing them to harm people and or properties on a bigger scale than other serious incidents like those involving guns.

Scenario Description: Company A got a Thermonator for removing snow on their property. One day, one of the employees, Mr. Smith, decided to remove the snow on the company-owned mountain. He was planning on finishing the work during the daytime, but the mounds of snow were so big that he decided to continue, just for about an hour, after the sunset. He was looking at the camera of the robot very carefully at first, but he got tired of the view and started to feel drowsy after a long day of work. After some time, he realized that he was burning something other than snow, a warehouse where they kept their equipment. The obstacle avoidance system somehow failed to recognize the warehouse and he was unable to realize what the robot was doing. He called the fire department, but it was too late, and the warehouse burned down. Although it was fortunate that there was no one there at the time, they had lost their valuable assets.

Importance of Ethical Issues: Because the Thermonator can easily send fire streams, it is highly likely that the society as a whole has a concern about its safety.

Ethical Principles and Values: Society’s desire for safety and for more innovation. Explain how these principles and values relate to the ethical issues.

Discussion of Possible Solutions: There should be some restrictions on conditions and entities in which Thermonators can be used.

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