By Steven J. Grisafi, PhD.
Since the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse, amendments to the Constitution of the United States have sought to exclude the possibility of subjection of all peoples who comprise the nation. However, never has the three-fifths clause itself ever been repealed. Although one may argue that any such repeal is unnecessary, because all peoples within the United States are protected from the discrimination that could subject them to slavery, the mere existence of the clause leaves open the possibility of subjugation as slaves. But to whom?
With the development of artificial intelligence, and the possible creation of self-aware, sentient robots, the persistence of the three-fifths clause within the United States Constitution permits a second form of citizenship. Although it may be perceived that the moral values of today”s American society might be accepting of the subjugation of sentient robots to serve our needs, there is no certainty that future generations of Americans will think likewise. Recognizing this, perhaps then one might argue that it is preferable to remove the three-fifths clause from the Constitution, rather than seek to exclude all possible forms of subjugation. While many persons might argue that this is so, to repeal the three-fifths clause directly would be an admission of President Lincoln”s failure to uphold the law.