There are multiple characteristics that make us humans and
not robots. Although some may have developed a monotonous life as a robot, they
are still humans. Some may say that the distinction between a robot and a human
is that of physical appearance or of mental intelligence. All these are true,
but I believe that one big thing that differentiates us from “them” is that we
as humans have developed the words “I want” and “I need” in our dictionary.
From birth, an infant wails because he “wants” to sleep or
he “needs” to eat. Then as the infant grows older his “wants” become more
materialistic such as he or she may want a new Barbie or a new racecar. Finally
as adulthood kicks in, our needs and wants become more realistic such as
wanting a nice job our needing a stable life. Robots, on the other hand, don’t have
these “wants” or “needs” which is why they can’t be placed in the same
categories as humans.
From the episode of Black Mirror, Ash’s robot displays this.
Robo. Ash does not seem to have “needs” or “wants” and because he does not have
this, it seems he does not have and opinion either. He does not get pleasure in
participating in sexual activity; he does not need to sleep or eat; and he does
not want to make decisions that are of his best interest rather all his
decisions only orient around what pleases Martha. Because of this, he cannot
form his own opinion. Yes, he can learn new things and actions fast, but he is
unbale to act as per what he finds is in his best interest rather he only does what
human Ash would do or what Martha wants him to do.
One thing common that Robo. Ash has with humans is that it has
the ability to learn. Unlike animals, humans have the ability to learn certain
behavioral skill set and etiquette in society. Robo. Ash is more common to
humans in this matter because it too has the ability to adapt to new skill set.
Even though Robo. Ash has adaptability instincts as humans, it can still not be
placed in the same category as a human because it is not opiniated and it does
not have the basic “needs” and “wants” as a human does. It will always be a
piece of technology that is made to assist human life. Giving a piece of
technology a human like appearance does not make it a human or even place it in
the same category as a human.
2 comments:
I agree that robots do not have "wants", but I do think that they have some needs, just not the same ones as humans. While you do point out that robots do not have human needs, you also state that they simply do not have needs at all. I think this would be false as they do have the need to please others.
I agree with your points that robots do not have wants because you saw in the episode that when Martha told Ash to jump he did not seemed upset until she told him the real ash would beg and cry. I think that robots to need to learn because he would occasionally look things up in order to be able to keep conversation going. This different from a human want or need because it is programmed in a robot to act this way and human naturally have those initial wants and needs.
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