Challenges and opportunities of robotics to catholic theological reflection

Abstract

Discussions on robotics in the social media and literature often take an utilitarian and instrumental approach. Intelligent and learning machines are perceived as a means of making our lives easier and more comfortable, minimising the costs of production and labour, improving healthcare system, transportation and military defence, and substituting humans in child and elderly care. Moreover, robotics designers, engineers and programmers tend to focus on technical challenges and advances without any reflection on the pressing philosophical, ethical and religious questions. The moral quandaries raised by robotics are too important and complex to be left to technical experts! In a democratic society all stakeholders, including faith communities, have the right to enter into an open and transparent debate on these emerging technological breakthroughs that are blurring the lines between the human and machine. Humanity fails to ask pertinent philosophical, ethical and religious questions if Christians and concerned citizens remain bystanders as cognitive machines develop and become commonplace. Public debate on robotics must cross multiple scholarly and professional disciplines, including theology. The initial reaction of many theologians and religious people to the very idea that faith has nothing to contribute in the debate on robotics is no longer tenable. Theologians are able to broaden people’s horizon on robotics by asking the right questions that place life, science and technology in a different light.