The death of Isintu in contemporary technological Era: The ethics of sex robots among the Ndebele of Matabo

Abstract

In industrial and social setting in Africa, machines and technological devices are gradually replacing human beings. Sex robots are replacing the need for other human beings for intimacy. People no longer need other human beings to indulge in sexual pleasure. Using Isintu ethics, I interrogate the ethical challenges that emanate from the substitution of human beings with technological devices. Isintu thrives on human-to-human relations; when human relationships suffer, Isintu suffers. Isintu is linked to the concept of umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu (a person is a person because of other people). The chapter concludes that the Ndebele of Matabo are not yet culturally ready for sex robots.