Social Robotics and Synthetic Ethics: A Methodological Proposal for Research

This paper outlines a methodology to analyze the coconstruction of ethical interactions between humans and social robots. Indeed, in view of the aging populations of many societies worldwide, such robots could be useful for helping caregivers in many ways. Nevertheless, ethical robots are a precondition for this possibility. Based on the concept of ethical know-how posited by Francisco Varela, the discipline of synthetic ethics, and an existing model of intrinsically moral robots, this methodology employs an experimental user-centered research design for a qualitative study of interactions between elderly people and social robots. The goal of the methodology is to provide information concerning how interactions between elderly people and social robots could produce ethical expertise on both sides. The methodology relies on the techniques of nonparticipant observation, focus group discussion, and questionnaires. This proposal is expected to be of interest to individuals who are involved in the design of ethical social robots for the care of vulnerable people.