An Outline of Enactive Relationalism in the Philosophy and Ethics of Robotics

Abstract This paper proposes an enhanced version of the relational approach in the philosophy and ethics of robotics by integrating it with enactivism. The paper begins by providing a concise overview of the relational approach within the field, outlining its key contributions and limitations. It then identifies significant issues in the current version of relationalism, such as its reliance on partial phenomenology, the problem of morality-before-morality, bad inclusion, and the treatment of the relation as a black box. To address these concerns, the paper introduces phenomenologically inspired enactivism and demonstrates how incorporating enactivist principles can resolve these challenges. By applying enactivism, the paper argues for a more robust understanding of human-robot interaction, where relational dynamics are understood as lived, embodied processes that are essential for constructing the otherness of robots.