People prefer moral discretion to algorithms: Algorithm aversion beyond intransparency

Artikel

We explore aversion to the use of algorithms in moral decision-making. So far, this aversion has been explained mainly by the fear of opaque decisions that are potentially biased. Using incentivized experiments, we study which role the desire for human discretion in moral decision-making plays. This seems justified in light of evidence suggesting that people might not doubt the quality of algorithmic decisions, but still reject them. In our first study, we found that people prefer humans with decision-making discretion to algorithms that rigidly apply exogenously given human-created fairness principles to specific cases. In the second study, we found that people do not prefer humans to algorithms because they appreciate flesh-and-blood decision-makers per se, but because they appreciate humans' freedom to transcend fairness principles at will. Our results contribute to a deeper understanding of algorithm aversion. They indicate that emphasizing the transparency of algorithms that clearly follow fairness principles might not be the only element for fostering societal algorithm acceptance and suggest reconsidering certain features of the decision-making process.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Journal: Philosophy & Technology ; ISSN: 2210-5441 ; Volume: 35 ; Year: 2022 ; Issue: 1 ; Dordrecht: Springer

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Landwirtschaft, Veterinärmedizin ; Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes ; Micro-Based Behavioral Economics: Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making‡ ; Design of Experiments: Laboratory, Individual
• Subject: algorithm aversion ; artificial intelligence ; moral discretion ; behavioral ethics

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Jauernig, Johanna ; Uhl, Matthias ; Walkowitz, Gari
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Springer
• (where): Dordrecht
• (when): 2022

Further information

• DOI: doi:10.1007/s13347-021-00495-y
• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/249297
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:44 AM CET