Quasi-Subjects of Law in the Modern Theory of Legal Relations: Concept and Development Prospects in the 21st Century

Abstract

The article examines current trends in the development of the theory of legal relations, namely the prospects for the allocation of such a new category as “quasi-subjects of law”. In particular, it is noted that in the modern world, scientific and technological progress poses new challenges for legal science, which it must meet, including the improvement of classical scientific concepts and categories recognized for decades, such as “object of law” and “subject of law”. In relation to these categories, the place in the system of legal structures of such a specific object of study as “robot” and “artificial intelligence” as a whole is analyzed. Arguments in favor of recognizing robots at the present stage as objects of law, features of legal liability for actions committed by robots are noted. Attention is also drawn to individual attempts to recognize robots as subjects of law and the prospects for such recognition, taking into account the prospective growth of their autonomy and independence, the development of artificial intelligence technologies. Based on the analysis, the author’s definition of quasi-subjects of law is proposed and the prospect of its application in legal science is noted.