Three Laws of Robotics

[Dwarfolo]

Hi guys,

I'm trying to design the Three Laws of Robotics for a G4 template.

0. A robot may not injure humanity, or, through inaction, allow humanity to come to harm
1. A robot may not harm a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

How would you render these laws in mental/social disads term?

[maximara]

Originally Posted by Dwarfolo

Hi guys,

I'm trying to design the Three Laws of Robotics for a G4 template.

1. A robot may not harm a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

How would you render these laws in mental/social disads term?

Don't forget about the 0th law of Robotics created by Isaac Asimov himself in Robots and Empire: A robot may not injure humanity, or, through inaction, allow humanity to come to harm. It puts a slightly different slant on the Three Laws as it superceeds all of them even the 1st law.

[Dwarfolo]

Thanks Max!
I have forgotten that one :-)

[Fnord-Fnairlane]

Togther, the laws amount to:

Sense of Duty: All Humanity.
Pacifism: Total non-violence.

[Darkclaw]

Originally Posted by Fnord-Fnairlane

Togther, the laws amount to:

Sense of Duty: All Humanity.
Pacifism: Total non-violence.

The Sense of Duty I would agree with, but don't the laws allow quite a bit of wiggle room for violence against things other than humans(ie other robots, aliens if they exist)? Maybe a lower form of pacifism?

[Dwarfolo]

Originally Posted by Fnord-Fnairlane

Togther, the laws amount to:

Sense of Duty: All Humanity.
Pacifism: Total non-violence.

Uhmmm ... the description of Total non-violence is about "Intelligent creature" while the Laws specifically refer to Human and Humanity. But aside this I think that a PC with this trait can, under some circumstances, break his Pacifism while a Robot cannot do the same.
I mean ... is there a difference between a self-imposed Pacifism and the hardwired Pacifism of a Robot? Do they cost the same?

[Ze'Manel Cunha]

Originally Posted by Dwarfolo

Uhmmm ... the description of Total non-violence is about "Intelligent creature" while the Laws specifically refer to Human and Humanity. But aside this I think that a PC with this trait can, under some circumstances, break his Pacifism while a Robot cannot do the same.
I mean ... is there a difference between a self-imposed Pacifism and the hardwired Pacifism of a Robot? Do they cost the same?

No real difference, it's just that true Pacifism is rare in humans.
There are true human Pacifists though, they are the ones who would stand there protesting vocally while their wife and daughter were raped and murder, but would never raise a hand or take up arms to defend them.
It's very rare, but there are those who strive for it.

[Dr.Merkwürdig]

According to GURPS Robots, p.60 the first two of the Three Laws are reactive programs worth -15 points each as Great Vows. The third one is worth no points as "preserve yourself" is something a player would want his or her character to do anyway.

[Kuroshima]

Originally Posted by Sock Puppet One

3. A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
- Nothing. Almost all sentient beings will refrain from running into danger unless their duty requires it.

I feel that you're right, it would not give any points, but G4e has given us a tool for things that don't cost any points, features and taboo traits. In this case, the 3rd law would be a taboo trait against auto-destructive disadvantages (on the edge, for example) and auto-destructive behaviour, unless it comes into conflict with the 1st and 2nd laws

[Dwarfolo]

Well, I'm not sure that it's so simple.
What do you think a Robot should do if ordered to tear apart its own arm?[*]
I ask it because of the Reprogrammable and the Slave Mentality traits, since the answer to this question makes the difference between these two disads, and I'm still not 100% convinced that a Duty suffices for the 1th and for the 2nd law.

[*](BTW, has someone ever read The Naked Sun?)