CS009: Computers and Human Values
Department of Computer Science, Brown University
Notes, September 9th -- Roger B. Blumberg

Hans Moravec's ROBOT: Session I

Introduction

If there had been a university course on Technology and Values a hundred years ago, what "technologies" might have been discussed? In the middle and late 19th century, industrial technology seemed to possess the power to transform the life of human societies as well as humanity's self-images.

Consider Karl Marx' 1844 remark:

"The machine accommodates itself to man's weakness, in order to turn weak man into a machine." (from Marx' Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts, 3rd Manuscript (1844) [Italics his].

Even 50 years ago we might have been most concerned about the sorts of ominous visions of technology and contemporary life that characterize Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times. At first glance, such visions may seem out-of-date in the face of computer technologies and the post-industrial workplace -- has anyone seen both Modern Times and The Matrix? -- and indeed we're tempted to believe that computer technology has solved many of the problems inherent in industrial technologies. In any case, the contrast between the organization of industrial and "information" work is our society remains striking.

Reading Moravec's ROBOT

"Preface" and "Escape Velocity"

In the Prologue to his 1988 book, Mind Children Moravec had written:

"Our biological genes, and the flesh and blood bodies they build, will play a rapidly diminishing role in the new regime. But will our minds, where culture originated, also be lost in the coup? Perhaps not. The coming revolution may liberate human minds as effectively as it liberates human culture." (p. 4)

"Caution! Robot Vehicle!"

Computers, Animals and Humans

From the very beginning of Moravec's book, he mentions non-human forms of life. What have animals to do with Moravec's claims/arguments/theses? What is your own view about using terms like "learns", "knows", "believes", and "understands" to describe animals like snails, rabbits and cats? How does this view of yours compare to your attitude about ascribing such capacities to robots?

Let's turn to "Power and Presence".

For Next Time:: 1) Read through at least chapter 5 of Moravec's ROBOT2) outline a response to the "Robopet" exercise. You'll post your completed response to the CHV-L list by the end of the week, and we'll have our final discussion of Moravec on Tuesday the 16th.

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