If you kick a robotic dog, is it wrong?

Nice one Stephen. I liked the quote at the end, which put it all into perspective:

“Consider a human being in a vegetative state with no greater self-awareness or deep desires than a robotic pet… If Aibo deserves no respect because it lacks self-awareness and deep desires, he asks, then on what basis would a vegetative human being deserve any measure of respect?”

Ontology, I think, is absolutely key - yet increasingly we ‘rate’ people, particularly socially, in terms of economic usefulness or attractiveness. Personally I have no qualms about kicking a robot dog, but admit that I would find it easier if the batteries were out and no one was looking!

Mark.