Humans And Robots

Human views on Robots

The world often sees robots as a potential threat to citizens, whether through fear of something different or concern about economic risks (Bryfonski 50). However, through the words of Asimov in nine compelling short robot stories, he showed that human beings often misunderstood the robot actions in various situations. In I, Robot, Isaac Asimov made use of the short stories to connect the idea of human and robot interactions in this new futuristic civilization to show the helpfulness of robots and the need for more ethical, moral responsibility from mankind.

In Asimov's book, the robot and character all have their own part. Throughout the stories, Dr. Susan Calvin is revealed as the world's only "robopsychologist". She investigates the behavior and thought of robots. She served as a metaphor for Calvinism. One major point was emphasized was predestination (Bryfonski 51). Predestination refers that God has foreordained every event throughout time without end, including the final salvation of mankind (Wikipedia). At the end of the book, she said, " I saw it from the beginning, when the poor robot couldn't speak, to the end, when they stand between mankind and destruction" (Asimov 272). It is possible that Dr. Calvin had predicted that the future of mankind would eventually comes to its end by the destructive force of machines. By putting Dr. Calvin into the story, Asimov showed the how of human and machine relationships is importance to him.

In one of the short stories, Robbie is positronic robot who is as innocent as Adam (Bryfonski 50). Robbie is controlled by the positronic brain. The brain illustrated the fundamental problem of original sin, natural depravity and the puritan works ethic (Bryfonski 50). Robbie is a mute but quick to respond robot. Base in the story, he is a babysitter for a little girl named Gloria through whom he later proved his trustworthiness to the family whereas in another story, Nestor (NS-2) is neither entirely good. He was created with weaken First Law of Robotic; which means robot cannot harm or allow human to come to harm (magazine???). To Asimov's eyes, Nestor represented the fallen innocent so in the end, he brought destruction upon himself (Bryfonski 50).

One issue that generated a barrier between human beings and robots is the fear of robots itself, or also known as technophobia. Instead of taking an approach in featuring the theme where robots revolt against their creator like in any other science fiction series; Asimov held a belief that technophobia was a misplaced fear, and the majority of his works attempted to provide examples that robots could provide help to humanity and that one day robot and human can live together in harmony. (Wikipedia). In the first story, Isaac Asimov purpose was to introduce to the audience a simple heart touching story between human and machines connection. The Weston family purchased a robot nicknamed Robbie; his job is to serve as a nursemaid for their daughter Gloria. However, Gloria's mom is a type of person who follows others. She wanted to get rid of Robbie due to the fact that the neighborhood people considered him as dangerous and children are not allowed to go near her house in the evening (Asimov 11). This showed that Mrs. Weston's criticism upon Robbie is guided by those who surrounded her, and she cares more about her own public image than the happiness of her own daughter. Mrs. Weston saw Robbie as a soulless piece of machine; to her he was a dangerous thing for her little girl. Furthermore, Mrs. Weston becomes concerned about the effects a robot nursemaid would have on her daughter, since Gloria is more interested in playing with Robbie than with the other children. Mrs. Weston afraid that Gloria might not learn proper social skills (Asimov 10). Even though she does love Gloria with all her heart, but she is too protective of her own daughter. All of this hatred and discrimination would eventually lead to kicking Robbie away without the knowledge or consent of Gloria. In desperate attempted to find her true friend Robbie, Gloria finally came across Robbie in a factory. She went mad with joy, and ran toward Robbie but what she did not see was a huge lumbering tractor coming toward her. Nothing seems to stop it now, but with quick feet and accurate precision, Robbie snatched Gloria out of the tractor's path half a second before she was hit (Asimov 26). Asimov's purpose in writing this story is to get human to give extra trust and faith into the machines. For every action, there is a reaction. As the result of saving Gloria's life, Mrs. Weston agreed that Robbie might not be a soulless monster after all and allowed Robbie to stay till he rusts (Asimov 28).

The Three Laws of Robotics were the backbone of Asimov's book. Asimov developed the Three Laws because he was tired of the science fiction stories of the 1920s and 1930s in which the robots, like Frankenstein's creation, turned on their creators and became dangerous monsters (Asimov Online). However, the Three Laws of Robotics were an imperfect set of rules, Isaac Asimov did foresee how the laws would bring in difficulties; they were never more than that. Asimov had an incredible faith in technology and never really realized how something might be dangerous as robot. Asimov claimed that he and Campbell came up with the Three Laws because robots are machines and mankind would of course designed them with protection (Wikipedia). Yet, in the book, Asimov had great difficulty thinking of robots as machines. From the first story, he expressed emotions, motives, and consciousness to his creations. "But Robbie was hurt at the unjust accusation, so he seated himself carefully and shook his head ponderously from side to side" (Asimov 4). Asimov really wanted to show that Robbie has feelings, and that would make him seem more humane. By doing so, Asimov would capture the reader feelings, to persuade how robots are just like us.

There were enough doubt in the Three Laws to make for interesting stories, but there was only one story in the collection, "Little Lost Robot", in which a robot posed any sort of danger to a human being. It is what helped present complete short stories with no loophole. The ultimate purpose that Asimov developed The Laws were put there to ensure the safety of humanity. The First Law stated, "A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm" (Wikipedia). One example that fits the First law would be how Robbie saved Gloria and did not in anyway put her to harm. The Second Law stated, "A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law" (Wikipedia). The