Robot Sex: Social and Ethical Implications

by John Danaher (Editor), Neil McArthur (Editor)

Sexbots are coming. Given the pace of technological advances, it is inevitable that realistic robots specifically designed for people's sexual gratification will be developed in the not-too-distant future.

Despite popular culture's fascination with the topic, and the emergence of the much-publicized Campaign Against Sex Robots, there has been little academic research on the social, philosophical, moral and legal implications of robot sex. This book fills the gap, offering perspectives from philosophy, psychology, religious studies, economics, and law on the possible future of robot-human sexual relationships.

Contributors discuss what a sex robot is, if they exist, why we should take the issue seriously, and what it means to "have sex" with a robot. They make the case for developing sex robots, arguing for their beneficial nature, and the case against it, on religious and moral grounds; they consider the subject from the robot's perspective, addressing such issues as consent and agency; and they ask whether it is possible for a human to form a mutually satisfying, loving relationship with a robot.

Finally, they speculate about the future of human-robot sexual interaction, considering the social acceptability of sex robots and the possible effect on society.

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy, Technology, Politics, Science, Sexuality, Artificial Intelligence

314 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, this is a book that explores (mostly philosophically) a world in which there are sex robots. However, by doing so, it brings up questions about love, relationships, consent, slavery, and the ethics of being kind to one another. I'd highly recommend using it in a Human Sexuality class, book club, or other place where larger questions about our emotional and sexual relationships with one another can be explored intensely.

[Jennifer Linsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Those who followed me on the late, lamented Google Plus site know that I've a great interest in sexual robots. Having kept up with the topic for a number of years now, there was little new or revelatory in this volume, but it is a nice introduction to some of the depths of what initially seems a simple subject.

[JCJBergman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and useful information for a university essay. Good for reference and leisure.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Frustrated government bureaucrats ready to control and fine anything that moves within their reach. Because, if they can't rule how other people live, what is their purpose in life, the reason for which the poor in every country are taxed so the witch doctors would live the good lives?

[Mikki Janower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating

[Ebookwormy1]

This article, though not a review technically, gives an overview of the content:
https://harpers.org/archive/2022/05/g...

For me, this is all I need to know. My main concern is how to train up our children/ students in this newly developing world...

Psalm 119 Beth
"9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes!
13 With my lips I declare
all the rules[a] of your mouth.
14 In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word."

[Sophie Cains · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book presented many arguments both for and against sex bots. Interestingly, it talked about the perspective of the sex bot, which is something I haven't seen before, such as, would it be pleasurable for the sex bot?
I had to give only four stars as I disagreed with some of the points mentioned. This may sound unfair, but there were several instances of points being made that weren't elaborated and just taken to be fact. I doubted these so-called "facts", but they were never explained.

[Debo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst this delivers a lot of food for thought and is seemingly structured very well balanced, with sections for multiple different outlooks on the topic of sex robots, I do feel that the underlying vibe is the rejection of the concept throughout most of the essays, so it doesn’t feel all that impartial :D

[Elaine Zhuang · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is required reading for the AI class, and about to present it this week. Not a fan.