Is man a robot?

by Geoff L. Simons

The modern robot is developing immense functional versatility and - many would say - powers of judgement, reason, and the ability to discriminate between behavioural options (the rudiments of free will). We can see, with only a little imagination, how robots will progressively acquire human-like capabilities and characteristics. Indeed we may ask whether there are any human preserves upon which the robot will not one day encroach. And this suggests the associated question - is it possible to interpret human beings themselves in robotic terms? This book suggests that there is a sense in which man can be viewed as a robot - as an engineered anatomy, a cybernetic system programmed for performance. It is proposed - and argued - that the specifically human characteristics of emotion, free will, moral responsibility, creativity and ethical awareness can be accommodated by the doctrine of robotic man; and moreover that this is not a dehumanising analysis of human nature. Geoff Simons argues that we need to interpret human beings within the terms of natural law. Only in such a way - avoiding the traditional packaging of man in confused, mysterious and superstitious categories - can we develop a philosophy that is truly humanistic. The true humanists are those that can face what man is - and rejoice.

332 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Geoffrey Leslie Simons was a British freelance writer. In the 1980s, he was chief editor at the National Computing Centre in Manchester. A prolific author of non-fiction, he wrote books about sex, computers and politics, particularly the history of the Middle East. [wikipedia]

Reviews

[Saqib · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems i get to be the first one to review this book.So,i'll try to be as comprehensive and impartial as i can.
Ever since the first computer(20th century) was invented,comparisons between man and machine have been made by people from various scientific and literary disciplines. Is it possible for a robot to feel,experience and learn like humans do? Conversely, is it possible to view human beings as we view computer, software running on hardware? If we do that,what implications does such a view of humans have on the ethical dimension of our existence? What impact can it possible have as far as human relationships are concerned? If human behavior and physiology can be interpreted in the same terms as we interpret computer running operations on command,what does that say about free will? Do we really have free will?
The author explore various philosophical models of man and how they are compatible the "doctrine of robotic man",as he puts it.The author makes the case that thinking of humans as robots doesn't dehumanize us,but rather it humanizes us in ways that are humbling and relieving at the same time.