Empathetic Computers: The Problem of Confusing Persons and Things

As computers become both more intelligent and ubiquitous we increasingly rely on them for forms of companionship. We are relational beings, instinctively drawn to those who relate back to us, an instinct that is rooted in our creation in the image of a triune, and thus relational, God. Relationships...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Dialog : a journal of theology 2015-03, Vol.54 (1), p.34-39
Main Author: Herzfeld, Noreen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
artificial intelligence
Christianity
Computers
empathy
imago Dei
Karl Barth
sociopathology
Theology
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Summary:As computers become both more intelligent and ubiquitous we increasingly rely on them for forms of companionship. We are relational beings, instinctively drawn to those who relate back to us, an instinct that is rooted in our creation in the image of a triune, and thus relational, God. Relationships with computers, which necessarily displace relationships with other humans, have so far been shown to be dissatisfying. This dissatisfaction arises because a computer cannot be truly empathetic. It cannot feel emotion due to its lack of a body; it can only simulate emotion. This makes relationship with a computer similar to relationship with a sociopath and can isolate us from both others and our true selves.
ISSN:0012-2033
1540-6385
DOI:10.1111/dial.12152