A Revision of the Buechner–Tavani Model of Digital Trust and a Philosophical Problem It Raises for Social Robotics

Abstract

In this paper the Buechner−Tavani model of digital trust is revised—new conditions for self-trust are incorporated into the model. These new conditions raise several philosophical problems concerning the idea of a substantial self for social robotics, which are closely examined. I conclude that reductionism about the self is incompatible with, while the idea of a substantial self is compatible with, trust relations between human agents, between human agents and artificial agents, and between artificial agents.

Keywords

• artificial agent (aa)
• trust
• self-trust
• buechner–tavani model of trust
• self-identification
• reductionism about the self
• substantial self
• personal identity
• normative expectation
• diffuse default trust