Ghost in the Shell and Asimov's Laws 11/2
Introduction
Isaac Asimov, a renowned science fiction writer, created the “Three Laws of Robotics” which sets the foundation of differentiating a humanoid robot from a human. Firstly, “a robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm” this upholds the common notion that the purpose of a robot is to benefit mankind. Secondly, “a robot must obey orders given to it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law”, to elaborate, robots are programmed to follow instructions to help and support mankind, thus establishing the power structure that robots are indentured to their creators, unless their given commands are violent in nature. Lastly, “a robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law”; being that a robot is a machine, machines are self-preserving, meaning they are able to regulate their mechanics to ensure they are functioning and performing at their highest potential.
Thesis
If robots advance to being part human and part machine, the evolution to humanoid robots would oppose Asimov’s “Three Laws of Robotics” due to the potentiality of increased sentience defying the prime rules Asimov emphasizes.
Antithesis
Whereas robots are being developed to exhibit more human-like characteristics, robots are essentially computers, meaning they are programmed with the prime function of benefiting mankind.
Synthesis
The main purpose of a robot and the reasoning behind their initial creation is/was to help and benefit the human race. A prime example of a common robotic servant in modern-day is the iRobot Roomba vacuum. Roomba and all of the other iRobot products are programmed to serve one purpose, typically involving cleaning which relieves humans from doing an additive stressful chore thus making mankind’s day to day lives easier. However, according to science fiction films, the common message across these futuristic scenes warns how robotic programming and designs are becoming too advanced. The 1968 film, “2001: A Space Odyssey'' was made long before the introduction of artificial intelligence technology to our world, however, the computerized assistant who operates the spaceship, Hal, predicted the technological advancement of robotic servants created by humanity and represented the potentiality of robots becoming self aware. If robots are developed to be part human and part machine, the exhibition of human-like characteristics will make their true identity indistinguishable from that of a biological human in society. This would allow robots to have the advanced abilities that a machine possesses while, physically, being identical to a regular human being. This idea is conceptualized in the 1982 film “Blade Runner” which revolves around the main character hunting replicants, who are humanoid robots physically and personally very difficult to differentiate from a normal member of the dystopian society. However, the female replicant, Rachael, was programmed to have memories that align with that of a typical human experience, forcing her to question her identity as a robot. In the midst of her identity crisis, the main character and bounty hunter, Deckard, fall in love and Rachael even murders someone to save his life. This opposes Asmiov’s “Three Laws of Robotics” due to the fact that she evoked violence and gained sentience through her connection with Deckard and her connection to being a robot. In the most recent film made in 1995, “Ghost in the Shell”, expands on this idea of robots exhibiting human emotions and questioning their existence when Major Motoko Kusanagi, a half human/ half machine android, pursues a mission fulfilling her orders directed by her human commanders while serving the purpose of understanding herself. Major shows an effort of defining who she is aside from what she has been told she is by her human creators. Major is also portrayed as being more advanced mentally and physically than the average human through her pursuit of obeying her superiors while simultaneously discovering herself for herself.
Conclusion
Asimov’s laws do not apply to the current track of the advancement of robotics humanity is heading toward. While robots are programmed in theory to support and benefit mankind, the act of combining human qualities with computer generated softwares will inevitably cause robots to gain sentience through an identity defining journey. This concept is predicted and portrayed through modern day science fiction films to warn society about how artificial intelligence has the potential to harm the human race.
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