This book argues that robots are enchanting humans (as potential intimate partners), because humans are enchanting robots (by performing magical thinking), and that these processes are a part of a significant re-enchantment of the "modern" world. As a foundation, the author examines arguments for and against intimate relationships with robots, particularly sex robots and care robots. Moreover, the book provides a consideration of human-robot interactions and philosophical reflections about robots through the lens of magic and magical thinking as well as theoretical and practical re-evaluations of their status and presence. Furthermore, the author discusses the abovementioned issues in the context of disenchantment and re-enchantment of the world, characterizing modernity as a coexistence of these two processes. The book closes with a consideration of future scenarios regarding the meaning of life in the age of rampant automation and the possibility that designing robots becomes a sortof new eugenics as a consequence of recognizing robots as persons.

Autorentext

Maciej Musia, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Adam Mickiewicz University in Pozna, Poland. He is interested in transformations of intimacy, new technologies and magical thinking.

Inhalt
Chapter 1. IntroductionChapter 2. Robots Enchanting Humans2.1 Preliminary Issues2.2 Individual Good, User Perspective, Personal Effects2.2.1 Security2.2.2 Autonomy and Freedom2.2.3 Positive Experiences2.3 Social Good, Societal Perspective, Effects on Society2.3.1 Objectification, Solipsism and Isolation2.3.2 Solipsism as Imprisonment2.4 Key Issues2.4.1 Axiological Issues2.4.2 Epistemological and Methodological Issues2.4.3 Ontological Issues2.5 Disenchanting HumansChapter 3. Humans Enchanting Robots3.1 Magic and Magical Thinking3.1.1 The Status of Magic and Magical Thinking3.1.2 The Functions of Magic and Magical Thinking3.1.3 The Functioning of Magic and Magical Thinking3.2 Magical Thinking in Interactions with Robots3.3 Magical Thinking in Reflections About Robots3.4 Disenchanting Modern RationalityChapter 4. Disenchanting and Re-enchanting in Modernity4.1 Disenchantment and its Limits4.2 Re-enchantment and its Functions4.3 Disenchanting ModernityChapter 5. In Lieu of a Conclusion: Where Will We Go from Here?5.1 Intimacy and the Meaning of Life in a World of Widespread Automation5.2 Taking Robot Rights Seriously: When Designing Becomes Eugenics5.3 Final Remark