Expressing Genuine Regret

Me with (Smart) Objects

5-6 years

20 min

Learning goal :

Learning to differentiate a human being from an "intelligent" machine

Pedagogical Intention :

Identify moral differences

Target skills :

Understanding that regret implies moral conscience.

Materials :

Accidental mistake role-play

Detailed Procedure :

1. Role-play: a student accidentally breaks an object. 2. The teacher asks: "What do you feel?" 3. The student expresses regret and proposes making amends. 4. Comparison with a robot incapable of regret. 5. Discussion on personal responsibility. 6. Restatement: regret involves moral conscience, the ability to feel responsible, and the desire to make things right. Humans have this conscience; the robot executes without feeling or assuming responsibility.

Progress Indicators

The student expresses genuine regret and explains that the robot cannot have any.

Research Foundations

Kohlberg.