Can someone respond to this hypothetical question regarding the Holodeck?

Question

Supposed in the not-so-distant future, we finally have holodecks (like in Star Trek), would it be ethical to allow people to create individuals to be abused emotionally and physically for their pleasure?

What if sick people create children to be sexually molested and abused while in the holodeck?

Would it be legal and ethical to harm and abuse holodeck creations? Won't they have feelings too?

Here's another disturbing scenario: Supposed a sick and twisted individual, creates a normal person (like you and me) to be enslaved in a basement, treated like a dog, sexually abused, tortured, and tormented until the programs runs.
The sick and twisted individual saves the program, and makes it so that it runs continously even when he is not in the holodeck.
The poor holodeck person would be imprisoned and tormented to no end.

Is that ethical and legal?

Supposed the holodeck indivual cries out to you, "Help me, please!"

Would you say, "I can't, you're not real."

Answer 1

Good question. If the holodeck existed, some people would definitely do this.

As to whether the holocreations would have feelings, that is arguably down to whether they are complex enough to be considered alive.

The legal status........... If the characters were bought like a program, then it would be considered fair use. If self-created, then you could do what you want with them.

Ethical......... It would be better to be done to a computer program than an real child, of course. And perhaps it would be *somehow* useful in rehabilitation. But as to whether it would be ethical, I really don't know. It seems wrong under any circumstance.

As for the additional question, it would depend - as above - on whether the program met the criteria for being alive.

Answer 2

Your hypothetical situation already exists within the parameters of certain quantum mechanics-based perspectives. Read the book "The Holographic Universe" for an example, or "Busting Loose from the Money Game".
Nevertheless, most of us still believe that at this time, everything we perceive is 'out there' and separate, including the other people around us, so let's go from there:
You mentioned 'sick people creating children to be sexually molested and abused' while in the holodeck. Already, only sick people do such a thing in our present 'reality'.
The Key word here is 'sick'.
Assuming that we really are ALL ONE and there exists no separateness, to abuse another person is like abusing one self.
Imagine the universe like a human body with billions of cells in it - as the analogy is not so far-fetched. Then consider the way you and I treat our own bodies. A healthy, well-balanced individual will treat themselves well. One who has 'issues' does a lesser job, and finally a truly sick individual will abuse themselves (and "others").
Currently, it is illegal to do harm. Even suicide is legally 'wrong' (you just can't punish the perpetrator any more once they're dead).
The issue of legality cannot be thoroughly explored as we can't possibly make enough laws (and enforce them) to prevent everyone's individual brand of 'sickness'.
The issue of ethics is almost as difficult to define. Depending on someone's religious or political/social opinion/belief, almost anything can be called 'ethical' or 'unethical'.
Here, the power of majority vote rules.
To individually address your question, my opinion is that anything created for the purpose of emotional hatred abreaction indicates an unbalance in the creator's self image.
This holds true in this current 'reality' as well as it would in a holodeck situation.
Let's deal with the question of ethics and legality from our current view of 'reality' and recognize illegal or unethical actions for what they are: a reminder to the perpetrator to seek healing for themselves until they are able to meet the 'world around them' with love.
This is not a globally achievable goal and cannot be governed by 'laws' - it is an individual responsibility.

Answer 3

There's a computer game called Sims- you can create people, families and control them... and if you don't meet their needs, they'll throw a tantrum, or force the meeting of their needs (some of them, like bathroom, sleep, but not food). I have a friend who made a charcter in Sims, and then killed the character... she named it after another woman she truly detested...

Is that ethical? moral?

The difference between Sims and a holodeck program is that in Sims, the characters are very limited in their options, behaviors, and they're 2-dimensional... a holodeck character would probably have a greater spectrum of responses and is 3-dimensional... more real to the human psyche... They're still both "just" computer programs, though.

I feel it would be inappropriate, but I don't know that I would want to be the one to draw the "unethical" line. I don't know how far the legislature would take that...

Answer 4

It may also encourage the behaviour in social, real world scenarios, so probably not.

Although, from episodes of Deep Space 9, we got to see that Miles and Dr Bashir fought in Pre-Dark Ages wars, and knowing the atrocities that happen in war, that may go so far as to say that really was a parameter permitted by the Holodeck.

Answer 5

Hypothetically, of course...

There were only two holodeck creations in the series that had 'feelings' (self-awareness)...that would be Doctor Moriarity (TNG) and Vic Fontaine (DS9). Moriarity was considered a 'glitch,' while Fontaine was purposely programmed to be self-aware. So, I would say that the standard holodeck creation would not have 'feelings.'

Also...without condoning any sick behavior...would you rather have someone raping children on the street in real life, or raping a computer program in their own home?

Answer 6

Interesting scenario. Would this be any different from writing a book with the same themes? As long as it's fantasy, and does not involve anyone except the person who wrote the program, then this is nothing more than an extension of the persons fantasy, and I believe people are allowed to have their own fantasies.

Answer 7

personally it is not ethical to abuse anything but id say i wont be illegal in the holodeck because it is not real but you probably would get put into jail for creating fantasy's of children id say it would be legal to do what they did in startreck is create fantasy's like where you are the hero and you have to kill a villain but child molestation or
abuse of a person for personal pleasure would not go unnoticed and they would get physiological help

Answer 8

A Holodeck Creation has no more feelings that pacman or donky kong. I'm sure that people's fanticy will involve this stuff but many will want to ban it just like virtural child porn today. Don't know what they would decide.

Answer 9

Interesting question. Holodeck creations are computer programs, therefore they wouldn't have feelings in the true sense. Perhaps it wouldn't be illegal, but I don't think it would be ethical either...Good question!

Answer 10

Maybe. At the very least, its disgusting enough that I really don't want to think about it. These programs could help to keep these sick predators away from real children, I suppose. Its still a very disturbing question.