AaronIsCrunchy wrote:[...] However, if you feel like it read up Molyneux's Problem, which concerns the idea that somebody who can determine objects by feeling them may not necessarily be able to determine them by seeing them.
My thanks.
OT:
Honestly, the question here isn't "would she?" but "could she?"
As Rin hasn't ever had fully-functioning arms in her life, that means her brain lacks the neural connections for the refined motor skills that allow you to use your fingers to dexterously do what has allowed humanity to be an excellent toolmaker, as well as to manipulate objects, play games and type up speculation on forums about transhumanist enhancements to characters from silly dating sims.
It's possible that, once you attach the nerves to the arms, the brain wouldn't have the slightest idea what to do with them. Bending the elbow would be a new experience, let alone the 25 or so unique motions the human hand is capable of.
But let's suppose medicine has advanced to that point and that Rin can have fully operational
Deus Ex-style prosthetics (or not, just basic gripping and movement is fine too. Like, judging from the replies so far, you would be surprised at how many amputeees just want
something handy to hold stuff with.)
I think it's almost impossible to determine how Rin would feel about this one. (Or most other things, for that matter.) Hisao's impressions are irrelevant, mind, as he is a subjective as well as an often unreliable POV. He has been wrong, a lot. Furthermore, the assumption that Rin would be forced to use her arms to paint, as has been implicit, are
similarly fallacious.**
I think the mark has been missed here. By a mile. Or perhaps there hasn't been a detailed enough approach to this question. So let's break it down.
What are the arms for? Are they to replace her feet? Or are they there to enhance her ability to do everyday things?
I submit that the former is patently ridiculous, so I will go with the latter.
The arms aren't there to replace her feet—they're there to more easily do what her feet cannot. According to Act 1, Rin can't even
open doors, remember? (I think she could use her stumps to open certain doors, but if she has to turn a doorknob, well, let's just say using your face to open doors isn't the most dignified or hygienic thing to do.)
Rin would undoubtedly still use her feet for painting and eating, but I think the idea of being finally able to open doors and take care of yourself in ways a carer had to before (like Emi dressing her up or, you know... in the bathroom ♫) might be too good to pass up, considering Rin is a clear introvert and all.
Now, adapting to new limbs when you've never had them before would be a challenge, and it would take years to fully master them. Would she be clumsy until then? Yes, so? As opposed to, what, "normal" klutzes with real arms?
In conclusion: As Rin doesn't seem to care what others think of her, the idea of prosthetics wouldn't be to appear normal (or replace her feet, that's absurd), it would be for their utilitarian purposes. Prosthetics would be a good utility no matter how you look at it. The only reason I imagine Rin (or most for that matter) refusing such life enhancement is
being morally opposed to the idea of "becoming machines." Or...
**Although,
if she were being forced into this by a Nomiya-type scumbag, to appear "normal"? That's where the line would be drawn. I would agree that it would be wrong, augmenting your body should ultimately be your decision.
Although such a scenario would undoubtedly be a strawman of transhumanism, which is not atypical within contemporary fiction's heavy Romanticist bent, imho. But I digress.
And I don't see Rin ever having anything as regular as a 'career'. 
)
