(F) CHAPTER 6 - WHEN TECHNOLOGY AND HUMANITY CROSS

THE RAPID ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY

OVER THE PAST CENTURY HAVE MADE A REALITY OF MANY OF MANKIND'S WILDEST DREAMS.

androids

One dream that is still yet to be perfectly fulfilled by advancements in technology is the development of human-like and self-aware robots, often referred to as __________.

If and when truly "living" robots were to come about, one can foresee a slew of ethical dilemmas developing.

ROBOT

Any automatically operated machine that replaces human effort, though it may not resemble human beings in appearance or perform functions in a humanlike manner.

It contains some combination of the following attributes such as mobility, intelligent behavior, sense and manipulation of environment.

Karel Čapek

The commonly accepted first use of the word “ROBOT” was in 1920 in the form of a play written by

R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots)

The play wherein the word “robot” was used was entitled __________________ and involves the development of artificial people. These people are referred to as robots, and while they are given the ability to think, they are designed to be happy as servants.

Slavic languages, robota

The use of the word "robot" in Čapek's play comes from the _________________-' word for "work," which is __________

1920

While the word "robot" was not used until ___________, the idea of mechanical humans has been around as far back as Greek mythology.

Greek god Hephaestus

One example that closely relates to the servant robots seen in Čapek's play is the servants of the _______________, the god of fire and the forge. It is recorded that __________ had built robots out of gold which were "his helpers, including a complete set of life-size golden handmaidens who helped around the house."

Pygmalion

Another example of robots in Greek mythology comes from the stories of _________-, who is said to have crafted a statue of Galatea that would come to life.

LEONARDO DA VINCI, 1495

One of the milestones in the design and development of robots came with the discovery of his journals, which contained detailed plans for the construction of a humanoid robot.

Inspired by the ancient myths, the robot was designed in the form of an armored knight and was to possess the ability to sit up, wave its arms, move its head, and open its mouth.

The journals in which the plans were found date back to __________. It is unknown if this robot was ever built by _________, but merely conceiving it was a milestone in the timeline of robotic history.

The modern state of robots, from ________ to the current-day development of humanoid robots, has continued to approach the goal of a robot that is indistinguishable from a human.

ROBIN MARANTZ HENIG

In a comprehensive article in The New York Times, _____________ discusses her experiences with what are often labeled "social robots." These robots are by no means what the servant robots of Greek mythology have led many people to hope for; rather, they are infant versions, at best, of the long-hoped-for androids.

social robots

In a comprehensive article in The New York Times, Robin Marantz Henig discusses her experiences with what are often labeled "_____________." These robots are by no means what the servant robots of Greek mythology have led many people to hope for; rather, they are infant versions, at best, of the long-hoped-for androids.

RODNEY BROOKS

Is an expert in robotics and artificial intelligence.

In an article written in 2008, ___ explains that it is no longer a question of whether human-level artificial intelligence will be developed, but rather how and when. The robots' development introduces a set of unique ethical issues which industrial robots do not evoke. Working under the assumption that it is only a matter of time until androids are an everyday reality, it is proper to begin thinking about what these ethical issues are and how they may be dealt with in the coming years.

"matter" and "form."

The basic tenets of Aristotle's view are that an organism has both ____________- This differs from the philosophical position known as materialism, which has become popular in modern times and finds its roots among the ancient Indians.

Materialism

does not entertain any notion of organisms having a "form" or "soul"; rather, organisms are made simply of various types of "matter." These two views are at odds with one another, and the philosophical position society adopts will inevitably have a huge impact on how humans interact with robots.

form

The distinguishing characteristic of Aristotle is his inclusion of "______-." The term simply means whatever it is that makes a human a human, a plant a plant, and an animal an animal. Each of these has a specific "form" which is not the same as its "matter," but is a functioning unity that is essential to each living organism in order for it to be just that—living.

"psyche" or "soul."

The word used to describe the "form" of a living organism is

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS

Materialism often finds itself at odds with most religious views in the world.

The Catholic Encyclopedia's entry begins by defining materialism as "a philosophical system which regards matter as the only reality in the world, which undertakes to explain every event in the universe as resulting from the conditions and activity of matter, and which thus denies the existence of God and the soul."

ISAAC ASIMOV

In 1942,__________- introduced to the world of science fiction what are known as the Three Laws of Robotics, which were published in his short story "Runaround." Asimov's laws assume that human life is of greater value than that of the androids being developed.

Three Laws of Robotics

In 1942, Isaac Asimov introduced to the world of science fiction what are known as the ___________, which were published in his short story "Runaround." Asimov's laws assume that human life is of greater value than that of the androids being developed.

First: A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

Second: A robot must obey any orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the first law.

Third: A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the first or second law.

The laws Asimov formulated are:

robot code of ethics

While it remains true that robotics technology is not at a place where ethical codes for robots are necessary, it is not stopping some countries from being proactive and taking the beginning steps in the development of a ______

South Korea

is considered one of the most high-tech countries in the world, and they are leading the way in the development of such a code. Known officially as the Robot Ethics Charter, it is being drawn up "to prevent human abuse of robots—and vice versa."

The main focus of the charter is said to be on the social problems the mass integration of robots into society is bound to create. In particular, it aims to define how people are to properly interact with robots, in Stefan Lovgren's words, "human control over robots and humans becoming addicted to robot interaction.

Robot Ethics Charter

it is being drawn up "to prevent human abuse of robots—and vice versa." The main focus of the charter is said to be on the social problems the mass integration of robots into society is bound to create. In particular, it aims to define how people are to properly interact with robots, in Stefan Lovgren's words, "human control over robots and humans becoming addicted to robot interaction."

MARK TILDEN

Claims that we are simply not at a point where robots can be given morals and compares it to "teaching an ant to yodel."

goes on to claim that when we do reach that point, the interactions will be less than pleasant, stating that "as many of Asimov's stories show, the conundrums robots and humans would face would result in more tragedy than utility."

TECHNOLOGY

BEGUN TO CHANGE OUR SPECIES LONG-STANDING EXPERIENCES WITH NATURE

TECHNOLOGICAL NATURE

TECHNOLOGIES THAT IN VARIOUS WAYS MEDIATE, AUGMENT, OR SIMULATE THE NATURAL WORLD

ZOOS

Are bringing technologies, such as webcams, into their exhibits so that we can, for example, watch leopard (Panthera pardus) animals from the leisure of our home or a cafe.

Chapter 2 81 European Robotics Network (EURON)

Experts in South Korea were drawing up an ethical code to prevent humans from abusing robots, and vice versa. A group of leading roboticists called the _________________has even started lobbying governments for legislation.

Robot vacuum cleaners and lawn mowers

are already in many homes, and robotic toys are increasingly popular with children.

“IS GOOGLE MAKING US STUPID?" BY NICHOLAS CARRS

Discusses the effects that the internet may be having on our ability to focus, the difference in knowledge that we now have, and our reliance on the internet. Carr discusses the effects that the internet has on our minds. "For more than a decade now, I've been spending a lot of time online, searching and surfing."

The article is split into two pieces: the first is Nicholas Carr's longing for his brain to be one with the internet, a man-made machine. The second part of the article is Google's standpoint on how our brains should be replaced by artificial intelligence.

21ST-CENTURY TECHNOLOGIES (ROBOTICS, GENETIC ENGINEERING, NANOTECHNOLOGY)

POSE UNIQUE THREATS DUE TO THEIR SELF-REPLICATING NATURE.

GENETICS, NANOTECHNOLOGY, AND ROBOTICS

TECHNOLOGIES LIKE __________- (GNR) HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR GREAT ADVANCEMENTS AND DANGERS.