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Humanoid Robots - Are they ethical?


Not A Mallard

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Not A Mallard

This video is currently trending on Facebook:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/20/us-japan-robot-store-idUSKBN0NB1OZ20150420

Not only is this robot 2spooky4me, but it makes me wonder how moral it is for human beings to build robots in the image and likeness of ourselves since we're made in the image and likeness of God. It's basically creating artificial humans. Sure, the robot in the video has limited human capabilities, and it won't keep its job at the department store for long, but what if technology develops further? I can't picture any practical or moral use for humanoid robots except to use them as stunt doubles for movies or plays.

Edited by Not A Mallard
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Reminds me of the "uncanny valley": http://www.strangerdimensions.com/2013/11/25/10-creepy-examples-uncanny-valley/

Whether they're ethical or not, they're creepy as hell. And really, really bad for human employment. So long as we allow price to determine our every buying choice, companies will continue to develop croutons like this that displaces human beings from productive occupations.

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MarysLittleFlower

This video is currently trending on Facebook:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/20/us-japan-robot-store-idUSKBN0NB1OZ20150420

Not only is this robot 2spooky4me, but it makes me wonder how moral it is for human beings to build robots in the image and likeness of ourselves since we're made in the image and likeness of God. It's basically creating artificial humans. Sure, the robot in the video has limited human capabilities, and it won't keep its job at the department store for long, but what if technology develops further? I can't picture any practical or moral use for humanoid robots except to use them as stunt doubles for movies or plays.

I don't feel comfortable with this for the same reason as you... It also might give an impression that robots can have consciousness (since they look human) but they don't have souls and are not alive

Edited by MarysLittleFlower
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​Actually, that dental patient robot seems pretty practical, even though its skin is made from a company that makes "love dolls" (which is another concern I have about humanoid robots).

:|

I had not even considered that. And still wish I hadn't.

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veritasluxmea

how moral it is for human beings to build robots in the image and likeness of ourselves since we're made in the image and likeness of God. It's basically creating artificial humans. 

​lol. Are portraits of humans ok? what about sculptures? How is a human looking robot different? It's a robot. Just because it looks creepy doesn't mean it's evil.

And about the whole job thing... we're going need a better solution than just stopping technology. It's like self-serve checkouts and computers. Technically, both, especially computers, replace jobs. Did you file your taxes online? You could of gone to a person and created a job instead. Heck, if we really want to create jobs, we should get rid of registers and hire people to work it out by hand! It's like that old story: 

Milton Friedman recalled traveling to an Asian country in the 1960s and visiting a worksite where a new canal was being built. He was shocked to see that, instead of modern tractors and earth movers, the workers had shovels. He asked why there were so few machines. The government bureaucrat explained: “You don’t understand. This is a jobs program.” To which Milton replied: “Oh, I thought you were trying to build a canal. If it’s jobs you want, then you should give these workers spoons, not shovels.”

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Not A Mallard

I think the question of AI is a more interesting one than androids per se, to be honest.

I know where that'll get us.

Edited by Not A Mallard
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You cannot verify that others are not philosophical zombies. It's impossible to determine if they truly have internal lives.

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Nihil Obstat

You cannot verify that others are not philosophical zombies. It's impossible to determine if they truly have internal lives.

​Yes, that is true of everyone, robot or not. Therefore nobody has rights. You are the only moral agent in the universe. Go enjoy yourself!

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​Yes, that is true of everyone, robot or not. Therefore nobody has rights. You are the only moral agent in the universe. Go enjoy yourself!

I suppose that's one choice you could make from that fact.

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​lol. Are portraits of humans ok? what about sculptures? How is a human looking robot different? It's a robot. Just because it looks creepy doesn't mean it's evil.

And about the whole job thing... we're going need a better solution than just stopping technology. It's like self-serve checkouts and computers. Technically, both, especially computers, replace jobs. Did you file your taxes online? You could of gone to a person and created a job instead. Heck, if we really want to create jobs, we should get rid of registers and hire people to work it out by hand! It's like that old story: 

​I would say that robots differ from Portraits and statues because they can be aware of the world around them and depending on how advanced their programming is semi-sentient and thinking on it's own. So I do think that @ Not A Mallard has an interesting inquiry.

As to the Job part I agree innovation is inevitable without all becoming Neo-Luddites.  Just because I am a YouTube Nerd I'm going to leave this Video here about Technology and the ever changing Job market.

 


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Nihil Obstat

I suppose that's one choice you could make from that fact.

​I have not made any choice, because I do not exist. Only you exist. And all you are is a brain in a vat.

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