Algorithmic Bioethics: A Defense and Demonstration

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we argue for the adoption of algorithmic bioethics , which uses algorithms, in the form of decision trees, to articulate, understand, apply, and evaluate bioethical arguments. Algorithms bring many benefits to the study of bioethics: they clearly, precisely, and transparently articulate the decision procedure and facts relevant to an ethical decision; furthermore, they can be used to systematically discover, map out, and compare different ethical decision procedures concerning a practical issue. We then also outline and tackle potential limitations of algorithmic bioethics, and explore future directions for using decision trees in bioethics. Throughout, we illustrate our points using a case study of ethical decision trees, created with the help of large language models, about conscientious objection in medicine.