As a consequentialist, the question I care about when considering whether recognition should be granted is whether the recognition of the relationship has a societal benefit, not whether the relationship has societal benefit regardless of the recognition.
The reason why I considered this is because I think genuine bonding at least with long lived animals produces humans who care about nature more as well as provides social benefits to those who can’t find humans who would interact with them in this way.
By de-stigmatizing and even commending such relationships, perhaps clearly differentiating them from animal hoarders (who do themselves and the animals harm by trying to “take care” of too many), we would ideally cause more such relationships to develop.
My opinion on people interacting and bonding with social robots or programs is similar.
As a consequentialist, the question I care about when considering whether recognition should be granted is whether the recognition of the relationship has a societal benefit, not whether the relationship has societal benefit regardless of the recognition.
The reason why I considered this is because I think genuine bonding at least with long lived animals produces humans who care about nature more as well as provides social benefits to those who can’t find humans who would interact with them in this way.
By de-stigmatizing and even commending such relationships, perhaps clearly differentiating them from animal hoarders (who do themselves and the animals harm by trying to “take care” of too many), we would ideally cause more such relationships to develop.
My opinion on people interacting and bonding with social robots or programs is similar.