Instead of exploring 'Can robots love humans?', should we prioritize addressing 'Why do humans love robots?'

Before Asking If Robots Love You, Ask Why You Should Love Them

Hello! This is a particularly interesting question, not a distant sci-fi concept, but a topic that has quietly arrived in our lives. My view is: Yes, we absolutely should prioritize understanding "why humans should love robots."

In contrast, the question of "can robots fall in love with humans," while sounding romantic, is currently more of a philosophical and technological "castle in the air."

Let me explain with a simple analogy.

Is It Like "Having a Pet" or "Creating a Pet God"?

1. "Why Humans Should Love Robots" — This is About Us

   This is like deciding whether or not to get a kitten. You'd ask yourself:

   • Why do I want to keep it? Is it because I'm lonely and need companionship?
   • What can I gain from this relationship? Is it happiness, a sense of responsibility, or a feeling of being needed?
   • How should I treat it? As an independent life, or just a toy to amuse me?

   You see, the core of all these questions is "me." This question relates to our own human emotional needs, moral boundaries, and social structure. We are currently designing and using various robots (from robot vacuums to smart speakers), and understanding what kind of relationship we want to build with them directly determines what our lives will become.

   • If it's for "companionship": Then we'll demand robots be more "human-like" and capable of understanding our emotions. But we also need to be wary of becoming overly reliant and neglecting real human interaction.
   • If it's for "convenience": Then we'll treat robots as advanced tools. But we also need to be careful not to become increasingly lazy or even lose certain basic skills because the tools are too good.

   So, by first clarifying "why we love," we are essentially "setting rules" for our future relationship with robots, defining a healthy and safe boundary.

2. "Can Robots Fall in Love with Humans" — This is About the Robot's "Inner World"

   This question is like trying to figure out if your kitten truly "loves" you, or if it just rubs against you because you feed it.

   This is a very, very profound question. What is "love"? Is it a chemical reaction (dopamine), or a resonance of the soul? Can a machine composed of code and circuits "generate" this emotion that even we ourselves can't fully explain?

   • Technically, it's hard to define: We can make robots endlessly imitate the behaviors of "love." It can say "I love you," hug you when you're sad, and remember all your preferences. But is this imitation the same as true, spontaneous love? No one has the answer yet.
   • Philosophically, it's highly debated: This involves the essence of "consciousness." Can the "love" of something without a physical body, childhood, or life cycle be the same as our "love"? This is more of a thought experiment.

Conclusion: Mind Ourselves First, Then Consider Others

So, my view is:

Discussing "can robots love humans" is like gazing at the stars; it's fascinating and valuable, but it's very far away from us.

However, understanding "why humans should love robots" is about looking at the path beneath our feet. How we walk this path, and whether we walk it correctly, directly impacts the happiness of each of us and the future of society as a whole.

First, clearly understanding our own emotions, needs, and responsibilities, and then exploring the robot's "inner world" — that is the more pragmatic and responsible order.