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    A goal of modern war ought to be the minimization of innocent death and injury, while at the same time maximizing the potential to decisively defeat the enemy as quickly and efficiently as is possible. As the techniques for warfighting have evolved, a growing trend of reliance on sophisticated technology has followed. Likely, autonomous systems will increasingly play a role¾lethal and non-lethal—in future wars. Much of the current debate surrounding such autonomous systems—autonomous weapons sys…Read more
  • Liberal, democratic societies are facing the growing threat of radicalization1. As the last few years have proven, radicalization has not nor will ever be confined to destabilized regions or nations ruled by a brutal dictator.2 Nations that are seeming “beacons of hope” —liberal, western democracies— have seen increasing segments of their populations radicalized. Most tend to associate radicalization with Islamic terrorism rooted in the Middle East, but this is a mistake as it limits the scope o…Read more
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    Arguments for Banning Autonomous Weapon Systems: A Critique
    Dissertation, Georgia State University. 2019.
    Autonomous Weapon Systems (AWS) are the next logical advancement for military technology. There is a significant concern though that by allowing such systems on the battlefield, we are collectively abdicating our moral responsibility. In this thesis, I will examine two arguments that advocate for a total ban on the use of AWS. I call these arguments the “Responsibility” and the “Agency” arguments. After presenting these arguments, I provide my own objections and demonstrate why these arguments f…Read more