Could an Electronic Person Exist? Robots and Personal Responsibility

Abstract

The recent developments in robotics claim for a philosophical approach to the current and future relationship between persons and robots. Our aim is to look for some hints in the facets of the debate in order to define the ontology of these entities which in the long run could make decisions or act autonomously. First, we will question which features human beings and artificial beings share, focusing on the concepts of ‘person’ and ‘legal personality’, investigating the philosophical work of thinkers as Kelsen, Scarpelli, Radin, Wolff and Nèkàm. The urgency of the (philosophical) matter is confirmed by the concept of “electronic person” proposed in the motion that the Committee on Legal Affairs presented for a European Parliament resolution with recommendations to the Commission on Civil Law Rules on Robotics in order to establish rules to arrange the relationship between robots and human beings.