Duncan Purves

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About

Duncan Purves is a leading voice in the ethics of emerging military and robotic technologies, with a particular focus on the moral status of autonomous weapons systems (AWS) and artificial agency. His work challenges foundational assumptions in just war theory and machine ethics, arguing that deontological constraints—such as prohibitions against killing the innocent—do not apply to non-conscious robots, as they lack the mental capacities required for genuine moral agency. In his most-cited paper, "Autonomous Weapons Systems and the Moral Equality of Combatants" (2020, 40 citations), Purves critically reexamines whether the principle of moral equality can hold in conflicts involving AWS. His earlier work, including "When Robots Should Do the Wrong Thing" (2017, 14 citations) and "Robots and Respect: A Response to Robert Sparrow" (2016, 10 citations), further develops these themes by arguing that robots cannot be held to the same moral standards as human agents and that deploying AWS may undermine the respect owed to human combatants. With a growing citation footprint, Purves is shaping key debates on the intersection of philosophy, technology, and warfare, making his work essential reading for scholars and students grappling with the ethical implications of autonomous systems.