Massimiliano L Cappuccio | The University of New South Wales (original) (raw)

Papers by Massimiliano L Cappuccio

Journal of Military Ethics, Jan 2, 2022

Autonomous weapon systems (AWS) could in principle release military personnel from the onus of ki... more Autonomous weapon systems (AWS) could in principle release military personnel from the onus of killing during combat missions, reducing the related risk of suffering a moral injury and its debilitating psychological effects. Does it follow that the armed forces are obliged to replace human soldiers with machines to reduce the incidence of moral injuries? We address this question from a virtue ethics perspective that construes moral injury as a form of character deterioration, a disgrace that just societies and institutions are morally committed to preventing. The question is divided in two sub-questions: (1) can the use of AWS reduce the risk of moral injury and is such a solution more effective than similar ones? (2) Is the use of AWS an ethically desirable solution to prevent moral injury or does it carry unethical implications that make it ultimately unsuitable? We tackle these questions comparing the opposite risks of character deterioration represented by moral injury and moral deskilling, discussing how the proposed solution evokes problematic trade-offs for the cultivation of military virtue.

Sport Ethics and Philosophy, 2024

The Greek word mētis (μῆτις) traditionally refers to a particular form of wily intelligence assoc... more The Greek word mētis (μῆτις) traditionally refers to a particular form of wily intelligence associated with the arts of deception (dolos) and the knowledge of tricks (kerdē), subterfuges, and traps. Mētis evokes innovative and ground-breaking solutions, based on the capability to understand, anticipate, and possibly violate the others’ expectations. Most importantly, mētis presupposes practical wisdom, or prudence (phrόnesis), a dispositional quality that underpins all the virtues that deserve to be cultivated by sportspersons and that is pivotal to perfect sportspersons’ moral character. Not only is prudence required to apply mētis profitably for winning a game, but it is also indispensable to perform consistently with the game’s norms—cognizant of sport values. This analysis of mētis is key to illuminate the embodied dimension of tactical and moral reasoning in contemporary sport practice. In this paper, we first argue that the strategic effectiveness of mētis proves that not only sensorimotor control but also higher forms of intelligence, like strategic reasoning, are embodied and inform skilful performance; second, we argue that relying on mētis is necessary not only to interpret the rules of the game in one’s own favor but also to respect the shared values that these rules uphold in the sport practice.

Joker and Philosophy: Why so Serioue, 2024

Superheroes and supervillains are often compared to the gods and monsters of ancient mythologies.... more Superheroes and supervillains are often compared to the gods and monsters of ancient mythologies. If Joker had a precursor in these traditional narratives, who would he be? I believe that Batman's greatest antagonist is inspired by the divinity of the Greco-Roman pantheon called "Momus", who in many ways seems an ancestor of Joker. Momus is the divinity of complaint and blame, associated with mockery, satire, social critique, madness, and hubris. By referring to ancient, medieval, early-modern, and contemporary sources, I argue that Momus gradually became Joker through a long cultural process involving the assimilation of three intermediate representations: the jester, the fool, and the devil.

International Journal of Social Robotics, 2023

We introduce the notion of Tolerance for autonomous artificial agents (and its antithetical conce... more We introduce the notion of Tolerance for autonomous artificial agents (and its antithetical concept, Intolerance), motivating its theoretical adoption in the fields of social robotics and human-agent interaction, where it can effectively complement two contiguous, but essentially distinct, constructs-Acceptance and Trust-that are broadly used by researchers. We offer a comprehensive conceptual model of Tolerance, construed as a user's insusceptibility or resilience to Autonomy Estrangement (i.e., the uncanny sense of isolation and displacement experienced by the humans who believe, for right or wrong reasons, that robots can subvert and/or control their lives). We also refer to Intolerance to indicate the opposite property, that is the user's susceptibility or proneness to Autonomy Estrangement. Thus, Tolerance and Intolerance are inverse representations of the same phenomenological continuum, with Intolerance increasing when Tolerance decreases and vice versa. While Acceptance and Trust measure how the user's interaction with a particular robot is satisfying and efficacious, the dyad Tolerance/Intolerance reflects how the user's attitude is affected by deeply held normative beliefs about robots in general. So defined, a low Tolerance (that is a high Intolerance) is expected to correlate to antagonistic responses toward the prospect of adoption: specifically, Intolerant attitudes predict the kind of anxious and hostile behaviours toward Agents that originate from the concerns that autonomous systems could deeply disrupt the lives of humans (affecting their work cultures, ways of living, systems of values, etc.) or dominate them (making humans redundant, undermining their authority, threatening their uniqueness, etc.). Thus, Negative beliefs and worldviews about Agents are the cause of the Intolerant attitude toward Agents, which predicts Autonomy Estrangement, which in turn correlates to low Adoption Propensity and avoidance and rejection behaviours.

Synthese, 2023

Skilful expertise is grounded in practical, performative knowledge-how, not in detached, spectato... more Skilful expertise is grounded in practical, performative knowledge-how, not in detached, spectatorial knowledge-that, and knowledge-how is embodied by habitual dispositions, not representation of facts and rules. Consequently, as action control is a key requirement for the intelligent selection, initiation, and regulation of skilful performance, habitual action control, i.e. the kind of action control based on habitual dispositions, is the true hallmark of skill and the only veridical criterion to evaluate expertise. Not only does this imply that knowledge-that does not make your actions more skilful, but it also implies that it makes them less skilful. This thesis, that I call Radical Habitualism, finds a precursor in Hubert Dreyfus. His approach is considered extreme by most philosophers of skill & expertise: an agent-says Dreyfusdoes not perform like an expert when they lack the embodied dispositions necessary to control their action habitually or when they stop relying on such dispositions to control their actions. Thus, one cannot perform skilfully if their actions are guided by representations (isomorphic schemas, explicit rules, and contentful instructions), as the know-that that they convey disrupts or diminishes the agent's habitual engagement with the task at hand. In defence of Radical Habitualism, I will argue that only the contentless know-how embedded in habitual dispositions fulfils (i) the genetic, (ii) the normative, and (iii) the epistemic requirements of skilful performance. I will examine the phenomenological premises supporting Dreyfus' approach, clarify their significance for a satisfactory normative and explanatory account of skilful expertise,

Robots in Education, 2021

Physical Activity in Natural Settings, 2019

Frontiers Robotics & AI, 2022

Creativity in social robots requires further attention in the interdisciplinary field of human-ro... more Creativity in social robots requires further attention in the interdisciplinary field of human-robot interaction (HRI). This study investigates the hypothesized connection between the perceived creative agency and the animacy of social robots. The goal of this work is to assess the relevance of robot movements in the attribution of creativity to robots. The results of this work inform the design of future human-robot creative interactions (HRCI). The study uses a storytelling game based on visual imagery inspired by the game "Story Cubes" to explore the perceived creative agency of social robots. This game is used to tell a classic story for children with an alternative ending. A 2 × 2 experiment was designed to compare two conditions: the robot telling the original version of the story and the robot plot twisting the end of the story. A Robotis Mini humanoid robot was used for the experiment, and we adapted the Short Scale of Creative Self (SSCS) to measure perceived creative agency in robots. We also used the Godspeed scale to explore different attributes of social robots in this setting. We did not obtain significant main effects of the robot movements or the story in the participants' scores. However, we identified significant main effects of the robot movements in features of animacy, likeability, and perceived safety. This initial work encourages further studies experimenting with different robot embodiment and movements to evaluate the perceived creative agency in robots and inform the design of future robots that participate in creative interactions.

Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy, 2022

Childhood obesity is a widespread medical condition and presents a formidable challenge for publi... more Childhood obesity is a widespread medical condition and presents a formidable challenge for public health. Long-term treatment strategies and early prevention strategies are required because obese children are more likely to carry this condition into adulthood, increasing their risk of developing other major health disorders. The present review analyses various technological interventions available for childhood obesity prevention and treatment. It also examines whether machine learning and technological interventions can play vital roles in its management. Twenty-six studies were shortlisted for the review using various technological strategies and analysed regarding their efficacy. While most of the selected studies showed positive outcomes, there was a lack of studies using robots and artificial intelligence to manage obesity in children. The use of machine learning was observed in various studies, and the integration of social robots and other efficacious strategies may be effective for treating childhood obesity in the future.

International Journal of Humanoid Robotics, 2022

Recent studies suggest that robot-based interventions are potentially effective in diagnosis and ... more Recent studies suggest that robot-based interventions are potentially effective in diagnosis and therapy of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), demonstrating that robots can improve the engagement abilities and attention in autistic children. While methodological approaches vary significantly in these studies and are not unified yet, researchers often develop similar solutions based on similar conceptual and practical premises. We systematically review the latest robot-intervention techniques in ASD research (18 research articles), comparing multiple dimensions of technological and experimental implementation. In particular, we focus on sensor-based assessment systems for automated and unbiased quantitative assessments of children's engagement and attention fluctuations during interaction with robots. We examine related technologies, experimental and methodological setups, and the empirical investigations they support. We aim to assess the strengths and limitations of such approaches in a diagnostic context and to evaluate their potential in increasing our knowledge of autism and in supporting the development of social skills and attentional dispositions in ASD children. Using our acquired results from the overview, we propose a set of social cues and interaction techniques that can be thought to be most beneficial in robot-related autism intervention.

Journal of Military Ethics, 2022

Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs, 2022

Both corporate leaders and military commanders turn to ethical principle sets when they search fo... more Both corporate leaders and military commanders turn to ethical principle sets when they search for guidance concerning moral decision making and best practice. In this article, after reviewing several such sets intended to guide the responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems in the civilian domain, we propose a series of 11 positive ethical principles to be embedded in the design of autonomous and intelligent technologies used by armed forces. In addition to guiding their research and development, these principles can enhance the capability of the armed forces to make ethical decisions in conflict and operations. We examine the general limitations of principle sets, refuting the charge that such ethical theorizing is a misguided enterprise and critically addressing the proposed ban on military applications of artificial intelligence and autonomous weapon systems.

The Philosophy of Online Manipulation, 2022

This paper compares online manipulation enhanced by autonomous technologies to its more old-fashi... more This paper compares online manipulation enhanced by autonomous technologies to its more old-fashioned antecedents. We begin with an account of the general structure of manipulative practices and only then proceed to a more specific exploration of online manipulation that fits within it. The very question of manipulation raises important issues about the nature of agency and responsibility: what it takes to act knowingly, intentionally, voluntarily, freely, and so on. While these are crucial to the framing of our paper, our chief aim is not to resolve such issues, but to tackle the more focused question of whether there are kinds of agential risks (viz. dangers which we expose ourselves to in acting) that are specific to online manipulation.

Routledge, 2021

A discussion on ethics in education, and the role robots might play in it, needs to distinguish b... more A discussion on ethics in education, and the role robots might play in it, needs to distinguish between two issues: On the one hand, formal education plays a crucial role in the moral development of learners. When robots are introduced to take over some of the roles of the teacher, they will also inevitably affect the formation of values and norms in the students. Can robots be good role models and effectively contribute to the moral maturation of the students? On the other hand, there is the obvious question of whether robots might ever be programmed to behave ethically and make appropriate ethical decisions in the classroom environment, complying with the many deontic norms and principles that professional educators are expected to fulfil: consider for example that instructors are often required to administer disciplinary actions while pre- serving respect, confidentiality, and professional distance in their interactions with their students. Can robots be equipped with the necessary ethical decision-making abilities? This is to a large extent the more pressing question, due to the risk that robots could behave in a socially inappropriate or even unethical manner if not appropriately programmed to deal with morally challenging scenarios. Let us nevertheless first look at the former issue, that is, how teachers are instrumental in the development of moral principles and values in young learners.

International Journal of Social Robotics, 2021

In addition to providing utilitarian benefits to the users and diligently imposing severe normati... more In addition to providing utilitarian benefits to the users and diligently imposing severe normative prescriptions, social robots can play a moral function also in another important sense: through repeated, interactive engagement in familiar scenarios, appropriately designed robots can help human users recognize and correct their bad habits, dedicate themselves to commendable activities, and incorporate values as spontaneous inclinations to think and behave virtuously. Like other forms of virtue cultivation, this process may lead, eventually, to fortify one’s moral character and adopt a better way of living. This kind of moral betterment is central to virtue ethics, the normative theory that construes morality around the idea of living a praiseworthy lifestyle.

Philosophical Journal of Conflict and Violence, 2021

We spontaneously tend to project animacy and sensitivity to inanimate objects and sometimes we at... more We spontaneously tend to project animacy and sensitivity to inanimate objects and sometimes we attribute distinctively human features like intelligence, goals, and reasons to certain artificial devices. This phenomenon is called “anthropomorphism” and has been long studied by researchers in human-robot interaction and social-robotics. These studies are particularly important from the perspective of recent developments in military technology, as autonomous systems controlled by AI are expected to play a greater and greater role in the future of warfare. Anthropomorphistic effects can play a critical role in tactical operations involving hybrid human-robot teams, where service members and autonomous agents need to quickly coordinate relying almost exclusively on fast, cognitively parsimonious, natural forms of communication. These forms rely importantly on anthropomorphism to allow human soldiers read the behavior of machines in terms of goals and intentions. Understanding the cognitive mechanisms that underpin anthropomorphistic attributions is hence potentially crucial to increase the accuracy and efficacy of human-machine interaction in military operations. However, this question is largely philosophical, as numerous models compete in the space of social cognition theory to explain behavior reading and mental states attribution. This paper aims to offer an initial exploration of these mechanisms from a perspective of philosophical psychology and cognitive philosophy, reviewing the theories in social cognition that are most promising to explain anthropomorphism and predict how it can enable and improve natural communication between soldiers and autonomous military technologies.

International Journal of Social Robotics, 2021

Hybrid military teams, formed by human warfighters and autonomous artificial agents, represent th... more Hybrid military teams, formed by human warfighters and autonomous artificial agents, represent the technological future of Defence operations. Both the potential and the inherent limitations of current technology are well-known, but the cognitive-behavioral and motivational aspects of human-robot interaction on the battlefield have yet to be systematically investigated. To lay the theoretical and methodological foundation of this scientific investigation, our position paper critically examines how the military personnel's spontaneous tendency to anthropomorphize artificial autonomous agents can affect operations of hybrid military teams in multiple ways. We will argue that the psychological impact of anthropomorphism on military personnel is neither easily avoidable nor necessarily detrimental. Correctly identifying the multi-level cognitive mechanisms that underpin implicit and explicit forms of anthropomorphism allows us to increase the efficacy of human-agent interaction. We will argue that, within hybrid teams, the capability to communicate with teammates, allies, civilians, and adversaries relies on embodied social cognition processes that are inherently geared toward anthropomorphism and leverage its effects. By updating both the design of autonomous artificial agents and the training of human troops to account for these processes, their reciprocal coordination can be augmented.

ACM Proceedings (HRI lt), 2021

We explored the feasibility and limitations of designing and developing a Robot-Human interactive... more We explored the feasibility and limitations of designing and developing a Robot-Human interactive board game known as memory, a turn-based game of matching card pairs. Our analysis of this case study suggests significant limitations and further interactive improvements before exposing the prototype to the users. In terms of technical limitations, the variability of light and the lack of sharp camera imaging makes it challenging to identify cards uniquely. Open MANIPULATOR-X's (robotic arm used) dexterity is limited and could not mimic the interaction of card flipping. For interactive design terms, we analysed the robot morphology, expressiveness and modifications in the cards. We suggest running comparative studies with well-known humanoid robots and humans. This project is the initial step to developing more engaging and interactive games between Humans and Robots. Future experiments aim to explore the emotional, physical and mental benefit users could obtain from playing games with robots. CCS CONCEPTS • Human-centered computing → Interaction design theory, concepts and paradigms; Empirical studies in interaction design; HCI theory, concepts and models.

International Journal of Social Robotics, 2020

This position paper proposes a novel approach to the ethical design of social robots. We coin the... more This position paper proposes a novel approach to the ethical design of social robots. We coin the term "Virtuous Robotics" to describe Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) designed to help humans reach a higher level of moral development. Our approach contrasts with mainstream approaches to robot design inspired by the other normative theories, Consequentialism and Deontology. In the paper we theoretically justify our proposal, illustrating how the Virtuous Robotics approach allows us to discriminate between positive and negative applications of robotics systems, of which we provide examples. From an ethical perspective, our proposal is theoretically robust because it is based on the assistive role played by the robot rather than the robot's moral agency. From a designer's perspective, Virtuous Robotics is technically feasible because it transfers the cognitive burden of HRI from the robot to the user, bypassing the need for complex decision-making abilities. From the user's perspective, it is concretely advantageous, because it envisions a realistic way to make robots morally desirable in our lives, as supports for personal betterment and fulfilment.

Topoi

What role does habit formation play in the development of sport skills? We argue that motor habit... more What role does habit formation play in the development of sport skills? We argue that motor habits are both necessary for and constitutive of sensorimotor skill as they support an automatic, yet inherently intelligent and flexible, form of action control. Intellectualists about skills generally assume that what makes action intelligent and flexible is its intentionality, and that intentionality must be necessarily cognitive in nature to allow for both deliberation and explicit goal-representation. Against Intellectualism we argue that the habitual behaviours that compose skilful action are accompanied by their specific, non-cognitive form of intentionality: this is motor intentionality, which is purposive and adaptive while involving no explicit deliberation or goal representation. Our account of habit based on Motor Intentionality explains why the formation of motor habits can sometimes act as the sole basis of skill acquisition: Motor Intentionality is inherently purposeful because it is an embodied source of sensorimotor anticipation, pre-reflective motivation, and pragmatic know-how. Skill development through exercise always builds on a motor intentional component even when it is guided by Deliberate Practice to the point that, pace Intellectualism, Deliberate Practice is disclosed, not constrained, by habit formation. As suggested by the fact that repetitive exercises can play a major role in the development of flexible and intelligent sport skills, automatism is not a drawback for strategic control and improvisation but rather their pragmatic foundation.

Journal of Military Ethics, Jan 2, 2022

Sport Ethics and Philosophy, 2024

Joker and Philosophy: Why so Serioue, 2024

International Journal of Social Robotics, 2023

Synthese, 2023

Robots in Education, 2021

Physical Activity in Natural Settings, 2019

Frontiers Robotics & AI, 2022

Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy, 2022

International Journal of Humanoid Robotics, 2022

Journal of Military Ethics, 2022

Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs, 2022

The Philosophy of Online Manipulation, 2022

Routledge, 2021

International Journal of Social Robotics, 2021

Philosophical Journal of Conflict and Violence, 2021

International Journal of Social Robotics, 2021

ACM Proceedings (HRI lt), 2021

International Journal of Social Robotics, 2020

Topoi

Routledge, 2021

Robots in Education is an accessible introduction to the use of robotics in formal learning, enco... more Robots in Education is an accessible introduction to the use of robotics in formal learning, encompassing pedagogical and psychological theories as well as implementation in curricula. Today, a variety of communities across education are increasingly using robots as general classroom tutors, tools in STEM projects, and subjects of study. This volume explores how the unique physical and social-interactive capabilities of educational robots can generate bonds with students while freeing instructors to focus on their individualized approaches to teaching and learning. Authored by a uniquely interdisciplinary team of scholars, the book covers the basics of robotics and their supporting technologies; attitudes toward and ethical implications of robots in learning; research methods relevant to extending our knowledge of the field; and more.

Defining the scope of sport psychology requires an updated understanding of the relationship betw... more Defining the scope of sport psychology requires an updated understanding of the relationship between “body” and “mind” within the framework of cognitive science.
Embodied cognition theory offers a new approach to this relationship, one that rejects the assumptions of classical cognitivism and emphasizes the idea that mental functions are shaped by the material and temporal details of their bodily implementation. This theory resonates deeply with influential doctrines in developmental psychology and ecological psychology that paved the way to the foundation of sport psychology. The strong theoretical link between ecological approach and embodied mind theory is testified by the preeminence of Gibson’s notion of affordance in many of the chapters included in this collection. Sport psychology research has always dwelled on the themes, the notions, and the models of embodied cognition theory. Embodied cognition, in turn, has often found the most striking confirmations of its theoretical claims in the psychological accounts of sport performance and athletic skill. Due to the communal theoretical root of these two disciplines, an explicit integration of their respective philosophies would allow them to share a mutually beneficial experience of scientific investigation and critical reflection while affirming their irreducible specificity and their distinctive backgrounds.

Rivista di estetica, 2008

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What is an athletic skill, and how does it deploy the kind of situated intelligence studied by em... more What is an athletic skill, and how does it deploy the kind of situated intelligence studied by embodied cognition? This special issue of Phenomenology and the Cognitive Science tries to answer this question from a particular perspective, i.e., investigating what happens when sporting skills stop working and unreflective know- how is temporarily impaired: strikingly, it is when our routine coping skills break down that the very normative structure of intelligent action becomes most perspicuous. In this spirit, this collection of papers is meant to recapitulate, compare, and possibly expand, through the help of the phenomenologically oriented cognitive sciences, the explana- tory models of the debilitative phenomenon called Bchoking under pressure^ or the Bchoking effect^ (Beilock 2011). This phenomenon is related to a multifaceted complex of cognitive, motivational, and emotional dynamics that are largely studied—but diversely defined - by sport psychologists (Mesagno 2013; Mesagno and Hill 2013). While the scientific definition of choking may vary significantly, and there is no universal agreement about its nature and causes, the term refers to a common paradox many practitioners have to become familiar with in their everyday life: expert athletes often produce below-standard performances (suddenly failing even routine tasks) just during competitions that over-emphasize the expectation to produce excellent results.

The enactive approach is a growing movement in cognitive science that replaces the classical comp... more The enactive approach is a growing movement in cognitive science that replaces the classical computer metaphor of the mind with an emphasis on biological embodiment and social interaction as the sources of our goals and concerns. Mind is viewed as an activity of making sense in embodied interaction with our world. However, if mind is essentially a concrete activity of sense-making, how do we account for the more typically human forms of cognition, including those involving the abstract and the patently nonsensical? To address this crucial challenge, this collection brings together new contributions from the sciences of the mind that draw on a wide variety of disciplines, including psychopathology, phenomenology, primatology, gender studies, quantum physics, immune biology, anthropology, philosophy of mind, and linguistics. This book is required reading for anyone who is interested in how the latest scientific insights are changing how we think about the human mind and its limits.

Rivista di estetica, Jan 1, 2008

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The Greek word mētis (μῆτις) refers to a particular form of wily intelligence traditionally assoc... more The Greek word mētis (μῆτις) refers to a particular form of wily intelligence traditionally associated with the arts of deception (dolos) and the knowledge of tricks (kerdē), subterfuges, and traps. Nonetheless, the term entails a broader conception, as mētis is closely related to dexterity, planning, improvisation, and out-of-the-box thinking to sport performance. These abilities, in turn, presuppose practical wisdom or prudence, a dispositional quality that underpins all the virtues that deserve to be cultivated by sportspersons and that is pivotal to perfectioning sportspersons' moral character. Not only is prudence required to apply mētis profitably, for winning a game: prudence is also indispensable to perform consistently with the game's norms, cognizant of sport values. This analysis of mētis is key to illuminate the role played by embodied cognition and virtue in contemporary sport practice. Presently, we first argue that the strategic effectiveness of mētis proves that not only sensorimotor control but also higher forms of intelligence, like strategic reasoning, are embodied and inform skilful performance; second, we argue that relying on mētis is necessary not only to interpret the rules of the game in one's own favour but also to respect the shared values that these rules uphold in the sport practice.