Responsibility-Enhancing Assistive Technologies and People with Autism

Area of Science:

• Philosophy of Technology
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Ethics

Background:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) presents unique challenges in understanding moral responsibility.
• Existing frameworks for responsibility may not fully account for the complexities introduced by ASD.
• The concept of responsibility, particularly as a capacity, requires nuanced examination in this context.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential of assistive technologies (ATs) in enhancing moral responsibility in individuals with ASD.
• To analyze how ASD complicates the ascription of responsibility, focusing on capacity.
• To examine the broader ethical implications of ATs on the concept of responsibility.

Main Methods:

• Philosophical analysis of responsibility, utilizing Nicole Vincent's taxonomy.
• Examination of how ASD impacts the capacity for responsibility.
• Exploration of ATs' potential to augment these capacities.

Main Results:

• Assistive technologies show promise in improving the capacity for responsibility in individuals with ASD.
• ATs can facilitate the proper ascription of responsibility by enhancing individual capabilities.
• The implementation of ATs has multifaceted effects on various aspects of responsibility.

Conclusions:

• ATs offer a viable pathway to enhance moral responsibility in individuals with ASD.
• Further research is needed to understand the full spectrum of ATs' impact on responsibility.
• Ethical considerations surrounding ATs and responsibility in ASD are crucial.