Poll: Do Robots Have Souls?

[Kyuubi Fanatic]

Robots, no matter how sophisticated, are inherently incapable of possessing a soul. A "soul" is, by definition, the immaterial essence, animating principle, or actuating cause of an individual life (Websters). Robots are animated and "given life" through electricity and human engineering.

On the spiritual aspect, a man made machine can not possibly possess a soul because it was not created through natural processes by "God" (hell depending on the religion the only things possessing souls are human beings; plants and animals only possess "spirits").

No matter how lifelike or independent or self determined robots become, they mechanically lack a soul.

Now, if you think this type of stuff is just fascinating as hell (like me ^^) I'd advise picking up the Ghost in the Shell series (as you should have done already; it's fucking badass). The whole underlying theme beyond all the counterintelligence shenanigans is whether human beings can still possess souls (i.e. "Ghosts") after not only having their physical bodies replaced, but having their very minds and memories digitized and copied into fully robotic bodies. It is very similar to this topic, and quite a philosophical delight.

 

[GiantRaven]

If a robot is capable of independent thought, emotional feeling and distinctive personality then I don't see why the hell not.

Would anybody say that C-360 and R2-D2 didn't have souls? I feel that they do.

 

[FalloutJack]

By my personal definition, a robot does not. An android (more complicated mechanism) is a different story.

 

[dakorok]

For some reason, I thought of this when seeing this thread.

All joking aside, however, I think that the definition of a soul is more like a moral compass. Therefore, until we develop a fully sentient AI, robots won't have souls.

 

[Lord Legion]

Perhaps you muddled it against the anti-spirituals, and consciousness would have fit better in there.

But, tomato, to-matto.

I say yes it does.

 

[GiantRaven]

By my personal definition, a robot does not. An android (more complicated mechanism) is a different story.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the difference between the two?

 

[MassiveGeek]

Sorry, I don't even believe humans have souls.

The concept is just silly - the soul doesn't serve a purpose vital enough to support the concept, everything you say souls do, I say genetics and biology do. More precisely, chemical reactions in your skull.

So no, robots don't have souls.

 

[Shotgunjack1880]

Well, no. But neither do humans so what's the problem?

I agree with this person wholeheartedly.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

Well... I don't really think we have souls in the conventional sense, our personalities and stuff are probably to do with having a greater intelligence and that kinda thing. So I think it would be possible to make a concious robot with the same soul-ness of a human.

 

[Realitycrash]

I was reading Negima earlier (fellow fans will get the reference) and it made me wonder something. Here's the scenario,

A scientific team creates a robot, the very latest tech, it has independant thought, can have detailed conversations with humans, sharing and exchanging new knowledge and even ethical views on subjects, it can make its own decisions on what is right and wrong and even decides how to spend its own time, and, and this is the real important factor, it even has the capacity to fall in love.

The question is, does this robot have a soul? Personally I would say yes, I don't think our origins should determine our right to be human beings, rather, our personalities and emotions should be. Doctor Who once said, "there's more to being human than flesh and blood"

Since I am a Philosophy major, and I deeply get my panties in a bundle over topics like this, I will first need to know: How do you define a soul?

Without knowing what it is, we can't apply it on either robots, or humans.

 

[OctoH]

I am asian, and supposedly that means I do not have a soul. So...

 

[zehydra]

Robots can't have thought. At least, computers can't. If you want something to have consciousness or thought, you'll have to do it with something else, not a computer (robot).

 

[_Janny_]

After reading the Foundation series, I'd have to say that yes, yes they do. I'd love to have robots as friends and everything. It kind of reminds me of that Futurama quote:

Bender: You'd really want a robot as a friend?
Fry: Sure, ever since I was 6.

 

[Jark212]

No, I do not believe robots do not have souls. Show me a truly self-aware robot or AI and we'll talk...

 

[gauntletrunner]

I don't believe an intelligent robot would have a soul, but I don't believe in human souls either

 

[Soviet Heavy]

So you're referring to the Ghost in the Machine theory? I believe in that. As robots continue to develop more sophisticated problem solving tactics, they will inevitably produce glitches.

 

[Ace of Spades]

Watch Bicentennial Man. If a robot develops the capacity for independent thought and ability to make choices, then I'd say it has a soul.

 

[Serenegoose]

Well, no. But neither do humans so what's the problem?

Oh, hey, there's my response. Well done, you sneaky ninja you.

 

[JLML]

As an Ergo Proxy fan I have to say yes.

Spoiler: Some minor spoilers so I'll put it in box.

Pino is by far one of the most human characters I've seen (though she's almost ridiculously childish, that makes sense since she's supposed to be standing in for one) and she's an AutoReiv (kinda of a complicated robot) infected with cognito (a virus that gives them self-awareness and the ability to develop feelings) accompanying one of the main characters throughout most of the series. She also goes through an amazing character development, getting to know new feelings etc. If she doesn't have a soul, no one has.

 

[Active Schizophrenic]

Megaman has a soul and he always will. because megaman is too awesome to not have one.