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Lancaster, Karen (2023) Care robots in residential homes for elderly people: an ethical examination of deception, care, and consent. PhD thesis, University of Nottingham.

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Abstract

We are facing a dire social problem: although life expectancy is increasing, time spent living independently is not, meaning that the eldercare sector is experiencing a worrying shortfall of nursing staff - a problem which is only getting worse. Robots designed for caring purposes – carebots – present a possible solution: they can perform some of the work which has been hitherto undertaken by human nurses. But their introduction is not without problems.

This thesis examines some pertinent questions relating to the introduction of carebots into residential homes for elderly people. Chapter 1 examines what robots are, and provides a way in which we can differentiate between robots of different types, helping us to understand what ethical issues are at stake for different types of robot. Chapter 2 focuses on what deception consists of, and discusses why deception and lying are often seen as impermissible. Chapter 3 discusses different types of robo-deception, and analyses both the likelihood and the normative significance of their occurring. Chapter 4 is a study of a particular form of robo-deception, which I call fake compassion. This is when robots appear to care for patients when in fact they do not: I examine the extent to which this is morally problematic. Chapter 5 examines dignity: what it is, and why it is important. Chapter 6 focuses on consent: its importance in different spheres, and how consent-seeking can promote autonomy, bodily integrity, dignity, and trust. Chapter 7 builds on the previous two chapters, and demonstrates that it is ethically essential that carebots (and human nurses) obtain patients' consent prior to providing care, because failing to do so can reduce their dignity, and these reductions can be cumulative and devastating.

This thesis is not merely an interesting thought experiment or a work of science fiction; rather, it is a real-world necessity that carebots take appropriate actions which promote the dignity and best interests of patients: our grandparents, parents, and in time, us and our descendants.

Item Type:	Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (PhD)
Supervisors:	Hoskins, Zachary Sinclair, Neil
Keywords:	Robots, carebots, care, nursing, eldercare, elderly people, deception, dignity, consent, applied ethics, roboethics
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BJ Ethics H Social sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
Faculties/Schools:	UK Campuses > Faculty of Arts > School of Humanities
Item ID:	76166
Depositing User:	Lancaster, Karen
Date Deposited:	23 Jan 2024 09:57
Last Modified:	07 Feb 2024 15:56
URI:	https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/76166

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