Isaac Asimov’s Reason, shows us how the field of robotics is still a working-progress, Philip K. Dick’s Second Variety introduces the idea of superior, conscious machines who were created by advanced technology, and Kenneth Chang’s “Can Robots Become Conscious?” shares different views on the advancement of machines and robots. I believe machines and robots are not glorified adding-up machines and I think it is possible that they will become capable of original thought the more we advance in the field of robotics. Similar to the iPhone updates, new technology and new studies could lead to intelligent, conscious machines.
Technology has come a long way, with the introduction of the Siri of the iPhone, Window 10 2-in-1 computers, flying military drones, and many more. As time passes, we will continue to be introduced to new creations which will be far more superior than what we have at the moment. In the meantime, we will have machines and robots who are not ‘perfect’ yet. For an example, in Isaac Asimov’s Reason, Cutie’s cognitive development is not complete yet. “The question that immediately arose was! Just what is the cause of my existence? I accept nothing on authority. A hypothesis must be backed by reason, or else it is worthless - and it goes against all the dictates of logic to suppose that you made me” (Asimov 36-67). This quote is important because Asimov shows us that Cutie has learned to think on his own and is questioning his very existence. He is showing the