A Humane Robot: Vulnerability and the Mind to be Read

• In Event: Postphenomenology - II: Technological Otherness

Abstract

There are new types of industrial products, such as AI-controlled machines and robots, which are apparently becoming something more than mere Cartesian res extensa. One might say that our old desire to replicate ourselves have come closer to reality. In particular, the performance of certain intellectual activities by machines has long surpassed that of humans. However, there still lies a deep gap between us and them in terms of social interaction. What is necessary for a robot to have humanity? The notion of humanity is vague, multifaceted, and even sometimes incoherent. However, two points seem to deserve special attention: human vulnerability in a psychological sense and the ability of mind-reading others. We propose a thesis that human vulnerability has essentially to do with our mundane ability to work out what others are thinking and feeling. From a post-phenomenological point of view, we examine and support the thesis by focusing on how human communication and intersubjectivity work. Furthermore, we suggest a way to equip a robot with some kind of humanity.

Author

• Shoji Nagataki, Chukyo University