Limitations of Computational Morality: Can We Morally Enhance Ourselves via AI?

Abstract

Computational or machine ethics examines how morality could be implemented in machines and represented computationally. In the cognitive sciences, different architectures (rule-based and connectionist) have been proposed. Nevertheless, such approaches have limitations when incorporating ethical claims. With the rise of artificial intelligence, new ways of simulating moral expertise seem possible, where chatbots can serve as dialogue partners for moral orientation. However, as I will argue, such systems lack a theoretical grounding in metaethics, as do the former approaches. In order to align such systems ethically and ground them conceptually, a topography of moral competence must be developed. By outlining this topography, I will show some directions for further research and how such systems might enhance us morally.

Computational entanglement distillation beyond pure states: efficient protocols and fundamental limitations
Takeru Utsumi, Jacopo Rizzo, Ryuji Takagi +1
arXiv5 Oct 2026PreprintarXiv licenceFull textQuantum physics & quantum informationarXiv
A computational report on Fibrocystin structure via AlphaFold2: considerations and limitations for ARPKD research
Taylor Richards, Paraskevi Goggolidou
Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences3 Nov 2026Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Full textMolecular biology & gene regulation General biologyFrontiersDOAJ
Microsatellite genotyping and computational inference for genetic management of the Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa L., 1758): strengths, limitations, and integrative applications
Wojciech Lipa, Laura Iacolina, Artur Dzialuk
BioTechnologia9 Sep 2026Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Full textGenetics & genomicsPMCEurope PMC
An Ig Nobel for Global Health: The case for laughing at ourselves
Dhananjaya Sharma
PLOS Global Public Health29 Oct 2026Peer-reviewedCC BYFull textEcology NeurosciencePLOSEurope PMCPMC
From "Customary Morality" to "Reflective Morality": a physician's personalized competence development facilitated by narrative medicine.
Jian Bai, Nannan Shi, Jiayi Cheng +4
Frontiers in medicine7 Oct 2026Peer-reviewedCC BYFull textPsychiatry & mental healthEurope PMC

Cite

BibTeX RIS

BibTeX

@article{richter2026limitations,
  title = {{Limitations of Computational Morality: Can We Morally Enhance Ourselves via AI?}},
  author = {Florian Richter},
  journal = {Science and Engineering Ethics},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1007/s11948-026-00634-8},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-026-00634-8},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}

RIS

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Limitations of Computational Morality: Can We Morally Enhance Ourselves via AI?
AU  - Florian Richter
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/22
JO  - Science and Engineering Ethics
DO  - 10.1007/s11948-026-00634-8
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-026-00634-8
AB  - Computational or machine ethics examines how morality could be implemented in machines and represented computationally. In the cognitive sciences, different architectures (rule-based and connectionist) have been proposed. Nevertheless, such approaches have limitations when incorporating ethical claims. With the rise of artificial intelligence, new ways of simulating moral expertise seem possible, where chatbots can serve as dialogue partners for moral orientation. However, as I will argue, such systems lack a theoretical grounding in metaethics, as do the former approaches. In order to align such systems ethically and ground them conceptually, a topography of moral competence must be developed. By outlining this topography, I will show some directions for further research and how such systems might enhance us morally.
SN  - 1353-3452
SN  - 1471-5546
ER  -

Abstract

Related

Cite