If a robot murders someone, who is responsible, the creator or the robot?

[SUPA FRANKY]

Just a topic that has popped up in my mind. So lets say some scientist creates a machine capable of free will. It can do whatever it wants, whenever. So what if it decides to murder someone. Who is responsible?

I 'm not really too sure myself. The robot did do the deed, but the creator DID create it.

Edit: Crap! Wrong forum! Can a mod move this to Offtopic, please?

 

[drbarno]

the robot, as it chooses to murder someone. If the robot was built to murder as it's main function in the first place, then it's the creators fault.

 

[7moreDead_v1legacy]

If you killed someone would your parents be too blame?

 

[Blaghman]

Ok, you've given it free will, but what kind of mind is it given? If it is taught from scratch, then it is as responsible as any murderer, and the creator is just like a father (While it may be the creators fault for what it taught the robot indirectly, it would not be blamed). If however he were to place into the robot a mind which relished the idea of killing, or at least was more likely to do it, it would still be the robots choice, but I think the creator could be blamed.

 

[Faladorian]

A machine cannot do anything that it isn't programmed to do. So somewhere along the line, the creator programmed it to be able to commit murder. It's entirely the creator's fault

 

[Darth IB]

When a person murders someone, is it the murderers fault, or the murderer's parents'?
Edit: ninjad. But yeah, the robot is to blame.

 

[ProfessorLayton]

I would say the creator, except it has a mind of its own. And even so, the creator would probably still be charged with some type of murder. If it was programmed in any way to be inclined to murder, then I would assume that the creator would be arrested and his creations disposed of.

 

[Iandiaeufaieubfeuihfi]

this is oddly similar to "if you kill a prostitute, would you be put in trial for murder or vandalism?" kinda thing. But I believe it is the robot AND the creator.

 

[Simalacrum]

Is a father or mother responsible for their child's misdeeds? If the child is young, then maybe, yes, but if he/she is already fully grown, they should be able to make such decisions for themselves and therefore such actions are their own to blame.

In the same way, presuming that the robot has mental maturity, then it is the robot who should be held accountable for such actions.

edit: dammit, double ninja'd... and here I was thinking I was giving an interesting and unique opinion XD

 

[DarkLordofDevon]

If you killed someone would your parents be too blame?

Very valid point.

If a machine can make judgements, what makes it any different from a human? Afterall, we are just bio-electric machines.

 

[Ashtovo]

Both.

oh god your avatar is creapy.
OT: Kinda depends on how it was created. If the creator somwhow put the urge to kill in it's mind, then the creator, if not than the robot.

 

[Kuroneko97]

Is it understandable that my mind has been BLOWN?!

 

[SUPA FRANKY]

If you killed someone would your parents be too blame?

Yea, but a parent doesn't define how their offspring will act. They simply brought him/her into the world. but a creator programmed in everything that comes with free will. So in a way he is responsible

 

[InsanityBaronOfAtrocity]

2 possibilities. If you mapped and recreated the human brain for example. All the synapses and things so it was capable of completely independent thought (which really isn't as improbable as it sounds) and it chose to murder someone then its the robots fault.. However if it isn't an AI then it's the same as killing someone with a hammer and blaming the hammer.

Oh yeah OP. And anyone else for that matter. If you're interested in the possibility and implications of AI then grab a copy of The Singularity is Near by Ray Kurzweil. He specialises in...future stuff basically and his book deals a lot with AI and the different laws and ethical complications it throws up. It's a little science heavy in parts but if you stick with it it will blow your fucking mind.

 

[Beryl77]

If it's not 18 years old yet, then the creator. If it's older, then the robot is responsible.

 

[Lord Devius]

On topic: The creator, or whoever gave or allowed the order/suggestion to kill.

If it was truly an independent choice by the robot, then it should be punished by being terminated, and the creator punished for not restricting it from committing murder.

 

[7moreDead_v1legacy]

If you killed someone would your parents be too blame?

Yea, but a parent doesn't define how their offspring will act. They simply brought him/her into the world. but a creator programmed in everything that comes with free will. So in a way he is responsible

But you could say that is the same as the nature/nurture 'programming' we receive from birth onwards? Alas the plot thickens...