I had a discussion with my friend about a DnD game we were about to play. Ironically enough, it got onto the topic of undead robots.
Nevermind how, it just did.
Anyway, so I eventually say "Robots aren't alive, so how can they become undead? And more accurately, how can a robot 'die?' in the first place?"
Thus began a long and tedious argument. That's still going on as I type this. But let's get to the facts of the matter. This argument essentially concerns what the meaning of 'life' is and the meaning of 'robot'. And not in the cosmic sense, I mean literally - what makes us alive?
I think its several factors.
Our ability to reproduce.
Our ability to 'think' and make decisions.
Our ability to mutate
Our ability to 'create' ourselves
Our ability to be self aware.
Our ability to be made of organic compounds (though arguably that's not an ability)
Now, given that the defination of robot includes the fact that they are constructed, I'm going to ignore the last one for the moment.
Now, a robot at first might not be able to reproduce. Generally, But I'm sure some strange doctor might create a process where by robots are able to reproduce. After all, if nature can do it, with enough time and effort we could replicate it.
And about our thinking skills. While at this point it is debatable if we ourselves are in control of our decisions, we can largely assume that we are, to the extent that we have SOME control over telling our brains what to do, as opposed to the brain being an omnipotent monstrosity that only let's us think we're in control...jesus that's a scary thought...and if it's true then my brain wants me to not trust it...but then why...WHY?!?
...okay I'm better.
Anyway, back on topic, our brains function largely on a 'choice' where as a machine invaribly has to come down to a 'do' or 'do not.' In other words, the flow is easy to see and if we understood the mechanisms, then we can predict its thought patterns EXACTLY, because those thoughts don't change.
Our ability to mutate is essential. And we don't just do it when we're conceived, either. Humans have at least 17 mutations threw out their life, savvy? Robots can't do that.
A machine has to be completely manufactured. A human, once in a single cell, takes control of its own destiny. However, a robot doesn't. Once its created, it doesn't alter itself it can't automatically repair itself (generally) and the rest.
Self aware, o be a robot it has to be.
In other words, it's NOT ALIVE IF ITS A ROBOT.
Nevermind how, it just did.
Anyway, so I eventually say "Robots aren't alive, so how can they become undead? And more accurately, how can a robot 'die?' in the first place?"
Thus began a long and tedious argument. That's still going on as I type this. But let's get to the facts of the matter. This argument essentially concerns what the meaning of 'life' is and the meaning of 'robot'. And not in the cosmic sense, I mean literally - what makes us alive?
I think its several factors.
Our ability to reproduce.
Our ability to 'think' and make decisions.
Our ability to mutate
Our ability to 'create' ourselves
Our ability to be self aware.
Our ability to be made of organic compounds (though arguably that's not an ability)
Now, given that the defination of robot includes the fact that they are constructed, I'm going to ignore the last one for the moment.
Now, a robot at first might not be able to reproduce. Generally, But I'm sure some strange doctor might create a process where by robots are able to reproduce. After all, if nature can do it, with enough time and effort we could replicate it.
And about our thinking skills. While at this point it is debatable if we ourselves are in control of our decisions, we can largely assume that we are, to the extent that we have SOME control over telling our brains what to do, as opposed to the brain being an omnipotent monstrosity that only let's us think we're in control...jesus that's a scary thought...and if it's true then my brain wants me to not trust it...but then why...WHY?!?
...okay I'm better.
Anyway, back on topic, our brains function largely on a 'choice' where as a machine invaribly has to come down to a 'do' or 'do not.' In other words, the flow is easy to see and if we understood the mechanisms, then we can predict its thought patterns EXACTLY, because those thoughts don't change.
Our ability to mutate is essential. And we don't just do it when we're conceived, either. Humans have at least 17 mutations threw out their life, savvy? Robots can't do that.
A machine has to be completely manufactured. A human, once in a single cell, takes control of its own destiny. However, a robot doesn't. Once its created, it doesn't alter itself it can't automatically repair itself (generally) and the rest.
Self aware, o be a robot it has to be.
In other words, it's NOT ALIVE IF ITS A ROBOT.