David M
12-23-2006, 12:00 AM
Should robots have rights? What would discern a complex robot such as what we see in science fiction movies about the future from simple robots we see on factory assembly lines? Could lines of code be considered a robot if it were able to accomplish tasks? Is a sentient (self-aware) robot the definition for you? What if the robot were like the computer in 2001?...self-aware. Does it deserve the same rights as humans.
How would a robot prove it is truly sentient? Would it be okay to kick a sentient robot if it has no nerves and no damage was done?
As with all rights...responsibilities go hand in hand. What responsibilities would a robot have? Could a robot be tried for murder if it knew better than to kill a human or another robot? What would be the sentence?...death by unplugging? Could a robot be cured or pardoned for murder if it were reprogrammed never to do such a thing again?
One day in the not too distant future, we just may have a sentient robot. This British study is correct, the issues need to be addressed before it happens.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/5ae9b434-8f8e-11db-9ba3-0000779e2340.html
How would a robot prove it is truly sentient? Would it be okay to kick a sentient robot if it has no nerves and no damage was done?
As with all rights...responsibilities go hand in hand. What responsibilities would a robot have? Could a robot be tried for murder if it knew better than to kill a human or another robot? What would be the sentence?...death by unplugging? Could a robot be cured or pardoned for murder if it were reprogrammed never to do such a thing again?
One day in the not too distant future, we just may have a sentient robot. This British study is correct, the issues need to be addressed before it happens.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/5ae9b434-8f8e-11db-9ba3-0000779e2340.html