“Machine ethics” is, as far as I can tell, the actual name in the literature (insofar as there is any). I also really like how it sounds. The general “Reducing existential risk” angle probably requires the organization to get broader in it’s focus and focus on other risks (or else be seen as deceptive). But that might not be a bad thing and it may be the way to getting a lot more money and being seen as a mainstream charity.
Also I’m not sure how sold I am on “Institute” it’s got a ‘we’re pretending we’re associated with academia’ feel to it. I think “Center for...” sounds a lot better.
Also I’m not sure how sold I am on “Institute” it’s got a ‘we’re pretending we’re associated with academia’ feel to it. I think “Center for...” sounds a lot better.
That’s a good point. “Center for …” sounds more like a non-profit and less like an ivory tower.
I’m not sure about including “Machine Ethics”; given that there already is such a field, and given that (AFAICT) it does not generally involve precision-grade philosophy suitable for (let alone intended for) the construction of a Benevolent Really Powerful Optimization Process, it may be misleading to appropriate that name.
I do like the suggestion to use “Center for...”, though “Institute” doesn’t necessarily sound like a connection to academia is being implied (at least to me — do you think this is incorrect?).
I’m not sure about including “Machine Ethics”; given that there already is such a field, and given that (AFAICT) it does not generally involve precision-grade philosophy suitable for (let alone intended for) the construction of a Benevolent Really Powerful Optimization Process, it may be misleading to appropriate that name.
Hard to say. I feel like the Friendliness question is a natural fit for the field- in fact it seems plausible to me that it is the machine ethics equivalent of unified field theory. You’re right, though that the field mostly deals with minor, less rigorous issues. I don’t know- my criterion for the name issue is basically “Could I tell family and friends I was working at a place with this name without being laughed at or getting strange looks.”
I do like the suggestion to use “Center for...”, though “Institute” doesn’t necessarily sound like a connection to academia is being implied (at least to me — do you think this is incorrect?).
Not strictly speaking, no. Center is less pretentious, though.
Center for Machine Ethics (or Institute for...)
Institute for Reducing Existential Risk
Center for the Reduction of Existential Risk
“Machine ethics” is, as far as I can tell, the actual name in the literature (insofar as there is any). I also really like how it sounds. The general “Reducing existential risk” angle probably requires the organization to get broader in it’s focus and focus on other risks (or else be seen as deceptive). But that might not be a bad thing and it may be the way to getting a lot more money and being seen as a mainstream charity.
Also I’m not sure how sold I am on “Institute” it’s got a ‘we’re pretending we’re associated with academia’ feel to it. I think “Center for...” sounds a lot better.
I like “Center for Machine Ethics”.
That’s a good point. “Center for …” sounds more like a non-profit and less like an ivory tower.
I’m not sure about including “Machine Ethics”; given that there already is such a field, and given that (AFAICT) it does not generally involve precision-grade philosophy suitable for (let alone intended for) the construction of a Benevolent Really Powerful Optimization Process, it may be misleading to appropriate that name.
I do like the suggestion to use “Center for...”, though “Institute” doesn’t necessarily sound like a connection to academia is being implied (at least to me — do you think this is incorrect?).
Hard to say. I feel like the Friendliness question is a natural fit for the field- in fact it seems plausible to me that it is the machine ethics equivalent of unified field theory. You’re right, though that the field mostly deals with minor, less rigorous issues. I don’t know- my criterion for the name issue is basically “Could I tell family and friends I was working at a place with this name without being laughed at or getting strange looks.”
Not strictly speaking, no. Center is less pretentious, though.
Center for Technology and Existential Risk?
“Machine morality” has better alliteration.