Abstract

The development of highly humanoid sex robots is on the technological horizon. If sex robots are integrated into the legal community as “electronic persons”, the issue of sexual consent arises, which is essential for legally and morally permissible sexual relations between human persons. This paper explores whether it is conceivable, possible, and desirable that humanoid robots should be designed such that they are capable of consenting to sex. We consider reasons for giving both “no” and “yes” answers to these three questions by examining the concept of consent in general, as well as critiques of its adequacy in the domain of sexual ethics; the relationship between consent and free will; and the relationship between consent and consciousness. Additionally we canvass the most influential existing literature on the ethics of sex with robots.

Highlights

  • The development of highly humanoid sex robots is on the technological horizon

  • If sex robots are integrated into the legal community as ‘‘electronic persons’’, the issue of sexual consent arises, which is essential for legally and morally permissible sexual relations between human persons

  • What is most important here is really what agential functions a robot could perform. Can it take in information about alternatives open to it and evaluate those alternatives on the basis of certain values and priorities that it operates on the basis of? Can the robot take a stance, based on the information it processes and its evaluation of its options? If a robot is able to perform these agency-functions, we think that it has enough by way of what can be considered as basic free will for it to make sense to regard the robot as giving consent

Read more

Summary

Basic issues

The company ‘‘TrueCompanion.com’’ claims to sell ‘‘the world’s first sex robot’’ According to the website advertising this robot, the company has spent ‘‘many years’’ developing Roxxxy, making sure that she: knows your name, your likes and dislikes, can carry on a discussion and express her love to you and be your loving friend. She can talk to you, listen to you and feel your touch. That is why our focus is on sex robots designed to be similar to human sex-partners.

Consent
Robots and consent: short literature review
Is it conceivable that a sex robot might be able to consent to sex?
Consent and consciousness
Consent and free will
Is it desirable to have a sex robot who can give or refuse consent to sex?
Is consent all that is needed?
We should make sex robots that can consent
Conclusion
Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call