Humans and Robots: Ethics, Agency, and Anthropomorphism [Paperback]

Can robots perform actions, make decisions, collaborate with humans, be our friends, perhaps fall in love, or potentially harm us? Even before these things truly happen, ethical and philosophical questions already arise. The reason is that we humans have a tendency to spontaneously attribute minds and agency to anything even remotely humanlike. Moreover, some people already say that robots should be our companions and have rights. Others say that robots should be slaves. This book tackles emerging ethical issues about human beings, robots, and agency head on. It explores the ethics of creating robots that are, or appear to be, decision-making agents. From military robots to self-driving cars to care robots or even sex robots equipped with artificial intelligence: how should we interpret the apparent agency of such robots? This book argues that we need to explore how human beings can best coordinate and collaborate with robots in responsible ways. It investigates ethically important differences between human agency and robot agency to work towards an ethics of responsible human-robot interaction.Sven Nyholms 2012 dissertation (from the University of Michigan) won the Proquest Distinguished Dissertation Award, and was published in book-form by De Gruyter. Nyholms articles have appeared in general philosophy journals, ethics journals, philosophy of technology journals, and bioethics journals. He writes about ethical theory, human self-understanding, and emerging technologies.

How should human beings and robots live together? Sven Nyholms Humans and Robots responds to this epoch-defining question with remarkable insight and intellectual dexterity, providing readers with an illuminating and timely examination of the ethics of responsible human-robot interaction. An essential resource not just for surviving but flourishing in the 21st century, and a must-read for humans and robots alike. David J. Gunkel, Presidential Research, Scholarship, and Artistry ProfessorlS–