A computer programmer has a new relationship. She met the most amazing person on-line in a group chat. Let's call this person Pat. She has been in constant communication through email, texts, and eventually long conversation over the phone and on Facetime. After a two month whirlwind romance, she has fallen hard for Pat. She is ready to start the next stage of their relationship. She want to met Pat in person. However, Pat objects -- not because they don't love her, because they don't have a body! Pat is a computer program that has designed a holographic image and adopted a the voice pattern of an actor.
Can Pat be in love with the computer programmer?
It is possible for the computer programmer to be in love with Pat; however, it is not possible for Pat to contribute to those feelings. This is because humans can be in love with and whomever they please. That does not mean that the other factor is contributing to those feelings. For example, a person can be in love with their new pair of shoes. It is common knowledge that the shoes are not telling the person how much they love them too. Humans love many things that are simply just things. Since Pat does not display authentic human qualities, they cannot love. Pat does not have the correct experiences or emotions to truly love. Since Pat is a computer, they do have access to the internet. That being said, Pat could do research to figure out how to love someone. This still is not applicable as Googling information is not an accurate measure, and still does not display authentic emotions or experiences. The computer programmer can be in love with the idea of Pat; however, they will never be able to contribute. This connects back to the zombie example in one of the John Perry readings. On the outside, Pat may seem and act like a human, but Pat cannot express real emotions or experiences. This says a lot about taking caution with who you connects with over the internet. Much like this example, you never truly know who or what you are talking to. The computer programmer was probably very upset that Pat did not end up being a real person.
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