# The Moral Consideration of Artificial Entities: A Literature Review

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2102.04215 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2102.04215/

## Key facts

- Cited by 10 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 26 Jan 2021.

## Built on by (most cited first, 10 of 10)

- [LLM Social Simulations Are a Promising Research Method](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2504.02234/) (2025)
- [`It is currently hodgepodge'': Examining AI/ML Practitioners' Challenges during Co-production of Responsible AI Values](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2307.10221/) (2023)
- [Perceptions of Sentient AI and Other Digital Minds: Evidence from the AI, Morality, and Sentience (AIMS) Survey](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2407.08867/) (2024)
- [The AI Double Standard: Humans Judge All AIs for the Actions of One](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2412.06040/) (2024)
- [Mental Models of Autonomy and Sentience Shape Reactions to AI](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2512.09085/) (2025)
- [Unplugging a Seemingly Sentient Machine Is the Rational Choice -- A Metaphysical Perspective](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2601.21016/) (2026)
- [AI and Consciousness: Shifting Focus Towards Tractable Questions](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2605.06965/) (2026)
- [The History of AI Rights Research](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2208.04714/) (2022)
- [The problem with AI consciousness: A neurogenetic case against synthetic sentience](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2301.05397/) (2022)
- [Method, Mind, and Morality: How People Make Sense of Artificial Intelligence](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2608.24748/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Ethicists, policy-makers, and the general public have questioned whether artificial entities such as robots warrant rights or other forms of moral consideration. There is little synthesis of the research on this topic so far. We identify 294 relevant research or discussion items in our literature review of this topic. There is widespread agreement among scholars that some artificial entities could warrant moral consideration in the future, if not also the present. The reasoning varies, such as concern for the effects on artificial entities and concern for the effects on human society. Beyond the conventional consequentialist, deontological, and virtue ethicist ethical frameworks, some scholars encourage "information ethics" and "social-relational" approaches, though there are opportunities for more in-depth ethical research on the nuances of moral consideration of artificial entities. There is limited relevant empirical data collection, primarily in a few psychological studies on current moral and social attitudes of humans towards robots and other artificial entities. This suggests an important gap for social science research on how artificial entities will be integrated into society and the factors that will determine how the interests of sentient artificial entities are considered.