Simon Coghlan
Papers
8
Total Citations
262
H-Index
7
About
Simon Coghlan is a researcher whose work sits at the intersection of ethics, artificial intelligence, and care technology, with a particular focus on the role of social and companion robots in aged care settings. His most influential contributions examine how robots can support or undermine the dignity, autonomy, and wellbeing of older adults, including those experiencing social isolation and loneliness. His 2021 paper "Dignity, Autonomy, and Style of Company," with 70 citations, has become a key reference point for understanding older adults' values in relation to robotic companionship. Coghlan brings a humanistic lens to these questions, exploring whether robots can deliver genuinely caring interactions and what ethical frameworks — such as Tronto's ethics of care — should guide their design. His work extends beyond aged care to broader philosophical territory, including the ethics of xenobots and the phenomenon of anthropomorphizing machines. With cumulative citations exceeding 260 across his major works, Coghlan has established himself as a thoughtful and increasingly influential voice in the ethical dimensions of AI and robotics, offering critical insights that bridge philosophy, technology, and human-centred care practice.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Dignity, Autonomy, and Style of Company70 citations · 2021
- 2Robots and the Possibility of Humanistic Care41 citations · 2021
- 3
- 4Could Social Robots Make Us Kinder or Crueller to Humans and Animals?36 citations · 2019
- 5
- 6Using robot pets instead of companion animals for older people23 citations · 2018
- 7“Living Robots”: Ethical Questions About Xenobots17 citations · 2020
- 8Anthropomorphizing Machines: Reality or Popular Myth?7 citations · 2024