Can Robots Morally Harm Human Beings? Some Preliminary Ethical Considerations on Human-Machine Relations

To the extent that robots are designed as social interaction partners of humans, serious moral questions arise. This article explores the question of whether robots can morally harm humans. I begin the elaboration of the question with (1) a brief reflection on what is meant by "robot". (2) I outline what it means to be morally harmed. In a further step (3), the differences among physical, psychological, and moral harm are analysed. This leads (4) to the question of what kind of actor might be the author of such harm. Therefore, I refer (5) to a well-established taxonomy of gods, humans, animals, plants, and machines. I will conclude (6) that the status of a robot's agency depends on how humans choose to construct it. Therefore, as human societies, we should think about this important question in a well-informed way. It really matters how we decide on this question that affects our self-understanding and the fabric of social life.