Modern robots have arrived at a very matured state both in their mechanical / control aspects and their mental aspects. An Introduction to Robophilosophy explores the philosophical questions that arise in the development, creation, and use of mental – anthropomorphic and zoomorphic- robots that are capable of semiautonomous / autonomous operation, decision making and human-like action, being able to socially interact with humans and exhibit behavior similar to human beings or animals. Coverage first presents fundamental concepts, and an overview of philosophy, philosophy of science, and philosophy of technology. The six principal mental capabilities of modern robots, namely cognition, intelligence, autonomy, consciousness, conscience, and ethics are then studied from a philosophical point of view. They actually represent the product of technological embodiment of cognitive features to robots. Overall, readers are provided a consolidated thorough investigation of the philosophical aspects of these mental capabilities when embedded to robots. This book will serve as an ideal educational source in engineering and robotics courses as well as an introductory reference for researchers in the field of robotics, and it includes a rich bibliography.

This book is about the relationships between technologies and the content of religious belief and practice. A number of models are now starting to emerge, but each of these depends on the theological or philosophical framework within which the debate is set. At at the same time, there are dilemmas operating at different ends of the spectrum. For example, at one end there is a tendency towards subsuming the digital within the divine, and at the other an instrumental stance relating to how technology is deployed. Either of these stances could be said to ignore rather than acknowledge that the human itself is being changed as a result of the interactions with the digital. The book explores the following areas: · Where is God to be found or present in the postdigital condition? · What are the implications of the postdigital condition for spirituality and indeed for the activity of God through the Holy Spirit? · How do concepts of transhumanism or posthumanism effect understandings of the incarnation? · Does the doctrine of the Trinity need revisiting in the light of the digital as medium of relationship? · Does Creation now include the postdigital? · What of the Kingdom of God now that the kingdom of the Tech giants is so powerful all-consuming?

We are now entering the third decade of the 21st Century, and, especially in the last years, the achievements made by scientists have been exceptional, leading to major advancements in the fast-growing field of Psychology. Frontiers has organized a series of Research Topics to highlight the latest advancements in science in order to be at the forefront of science in different fields of research. This editorial initiative of particular relevance, led by Prof. Anna Borghi and Dr. Chiara Fini, Specialty Chief and Assistant Chief Editors of the section, Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, is focused on new insights, novel developments, current challenges, latest discoveries, recent advances and future perspectives in this field. Also, high-quality original research manuscripts on novel concepts, problems and approaches are welcome. This Research Topic solicits brief, forward-looking contributions from the editorial board members that describe the state of the art, outlining recent developments and major accomplishments that have been achieved and that need to occur to move the field forward. Authors are encouraged to identify the greatest challenges in the sub-disciplines, and how to address those challenges.

This volume explores the ethical questions that arise in the development, creation and use of robots that are capable of semiautonomous or autonomous decision making and human-like action. It examines how ethical and moral theories can and must be applied to address the complex and critical issues of the application of these intelligent robots in society. Coverage first presents fundamental concepts and provides a general overview of ethics, artificial intelligence and robotics. Next, the book studies all principal ethical applications of robots, namely medical, assistive, socialized and war roboethics. It looks at such issues as robotic surgery, children-robot and elderly-robot therapeutical/social interactions and the use of robots, especially autonomous lethal ones, in warfare. In addition, a chapter also considers Japanese roboethics as well as key intercultural and robot legislation issues. Overall, readers are provided with a thorough investigation into the moral responsibility (if any) of autonomous robots when doing harm. This volume will serve as an ideal educational source in engineering and robotics courses as well as an introductory reference for researchers in the field.