Abstract

Artificial intelligence technology and human-like robots raise key questions regarding appropriate relationships between humans and such social robots. These artificial, AI infused, creations are programmed to mimic and manipulate human emotions so as to provide affective companionship for humans. How should we treat them: as a mere machine, as a fellow human being, or as some third thing set in between the two? This chapter explores the ethical implications of affective, emphatic connections with robots. Is it possible to create a human-robot moral community? Section one provides methodological reflections on the empathy that humans often feel for robots. Empathy does not begin and end with human beings. Persons often have such feeling for pets, for example. Very probably in the future human empathy will extend to embrace highly intelligent, empathetic robots. Against this background, one urgent issue arises: Morally speaking, should we develop empathy for social robots? This paper critically explores different ways that humans might empathize with robot companions, examining the social and moral influence of various empathetic relationships on the human agents involved. I will argue from the Confucian point of view that given the dramatic difference between human emotions and programed robot emotions, we should be cautious of attempts to build love machines that will distract us from the more valuable pursuit of empathy and sympathy with our human fellows.