8-)

It kind of does. If the robot is lying because it is programmed to mimic human behaviour, it is not conscious. If it IS self-aware then it is not lying.

I'm just a girl with a dictionary and and a room full of books by Camus.

Support of a policy does not mean that the policy is based on principled thought. Many, many state policies are based on ideological bias, racism and ignorance. And I find it remarkable how often principles founded in philosophical enquiry do stand up to scrutiny, and how often decisions based on expediency are…

Consciousness is the awareness of the Self.

Well, if it isn't sentient but it has been programmed to act human, then that is a motivation of the programmer, not the robot.

Consciousness continuity and functional immortality could conceivably be achieved through nanites which mimic and complement human thoughts. They would encircle your mind and simulate neurons, allowing your thoughts to move outside the organic computer you currently possess. On death, if the system of nanites had…

What would it's motivation be?

Yeah, the 'ethical slave owner' debate. I've heard this one before, and I'm afraid I agree with Karl Marx- the slave state decided on utilitarianism because that's what profited them the most, not because it was a deeply held principle. No educated person who values human freedom and has read even a little…

Yeah, I don't find that to be particularly relevant, although it is likely that an intelligence created by humans will resemble humans. What's important to me is: is this a conscious thinking being? If the answer is yes, then as far as I am concerned it should be valued, treated with respect and allowed its freedom.

Who are the new zombies?
…
LEGOs.

I personally can't wait.

No, I'm just placing value on intelligence and freedom, our most precious resources.

“Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour. If at my convenience I might break them, what would be their worth?”
-Charlotte Bronte

Principles which are abandoned to expediency are the foundation of evil.

…I love the people on this site.

Agreed on all points.

I believe I read somewhere that the term 'robot' comes from a Czech word for 'slave'.

At which point, it should no longer be owned by anyone. There is no ethical justification for the ownership of a self-aware intelligence.

You are a bad person. A bad, funny person.