Henry Shevlin

University of Cambridge, Leverhulme Trust

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Henry Shevlin is a leading philosopher of cognitive science and artificial intelligence, whose work bridges the gap between machine ethics and the philosophy of mind. His research centers on the moral status of AI systems, the nature of intelligence, and the epistemological challenges posed by emerging technologies. Shevlin is best known for his influential 2021 paper, "How Could We Know When a Robot was a Moral Patient?" (49 citations), which introduces the concept of psychological moral patiency and explores the criteria for determining when an AI might deserve moral consideration. This work has sparked critical debates in machine ethics, offering a rigorous framework for understanding the conditions under which artificial beings could be considered moral patients. In his 2018 paper, "Mapping Intelligence: Requirements and Possibilities" (47 citations), Shevlin systematically analyzes the conceptual landscape of intelligence, providing a taxonomy that clarifies debates about AI capabilities and limitations. His contributions have been widely cited in both philosophy and computer science, shaping discussions on AI rights, consciousness, and the future of human-machine relations. Shevlin’s work is essential reading for anyone interested in the ethical and philosophical dimensions of advanced AI.