The Dream

I continued.

"Utilitarianism, to the best of my knowledge, is economics times ethics. A transactionalization of 'right' and 'wrong.' In the mind of a utilitarian, 'right' is a function of pleasure, or happiness, whereas 'wrong' is a function of pain, or unhappiness. So ethics is a matter of maximizing happiness for all and minimizing pain for all."

"Interesting," said Aristotle.

"In the example of a self-driving car, what I would recommend is a form of programming that accounts for the net-happiness-effect as a result of an accident. Of course, this prospect opens a whole can of worms as to how we determine the amount of pleasure or happiness to be derived from one individual or group versus another. I just do not know the answer."

"None of us do," said Musk.

"If I may," began Plato, "I would contend that, regardless of whether ethics is a matter of ownership or a matter of utility, pleasure, or happiness, what we can all perhaps agree upon is that, in the year 2019 on Earth, there seems to be an opportunity, within the century, to lay a framework for a global society devoid of crime. Is that a fair assessment?"

"Yes and no," I said, "but, mostly, yes. That is the dream, certainly."