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Sociology, Science, and the End of Philosophy pp 165–195Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Thinking Machines: Flesh and Metal, Metal and Flesh

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Abstract

Robots are an alien presence in our minds and midst, reservoirs of promises and threats. They are part of the brain and mind narrative to the extent that their designs are grounded in theories and assumptions about human minds and brains. Robots are not free standing context free, autonomous technological objects and processes. They embody the social relations (including the values) of their design, manufacture, production, distribution, and use. Thinking, self-aware, and emotional robots are social constructions and social institutions. A world in which robots and cyborgs are parts of our everyday lives appears to be inevitable. This makes the application of precautionary principles and technology assessments urgent. I also discuss robot ethics, robots and theology, robosapiens, and cyborgs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Technology, Culture and Society, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York, USA

    Sal Restivo

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Restivo, S. (2017). Thinking Machines: Flesh and Metal, Metal and Flesh. In: Sociology, Science, and the End of Philosophy. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95160-4_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95160-4_5

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