Notes

Outline

Committee to Establish the Laws and Conscience for Robosapiens Committee Appointed: Sharon, Zack, Kara, John, Darin, Kate, Seth, Marc, Erin, Terri, Kumi, Justin, Michael, Alyson

Your Task What laws ought to be in place to regulate robosapiens in respect to their rights and behavior? What beliefs and convictions should we program into its world view chip?

Research What three laws have been proposed by science fiction writers for the robots? Do we want to keep these, change them or add to them? What world view would the robosapien want to have as its own?  Would it have its own opinion about which world view would be right for a robosapien?

What are the ten rights provided provided in the “bill of rights” and should these be given to robosapiens?

"Amendment I" Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof state, the right of the people or robosapiens to keep and bear arms; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people or robosapiens to peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Amendment II A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people or robosapiens to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

"Amendment III" Amendment III No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. Amendment IV The right of the people or robosapiens to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

"Amendment V" Amendment V No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. Amendment VI In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

"Amendment VII" Amendment VII In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law. Amendment VIII Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. Amendment IX The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

"Amendment X" Amendment X The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

What is the basis of human rights? And How does this compare to the basis of robosapien rights?

Slide 11

What were the three laws Asimov proposed for robots? A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Should there be other laws added to these? Should they be required to check in every so often to make sure they haven’t modified their programming? Should they permitted to modify their own programming or remake themselves? If a robosapien murders someone should its maker be held responsible for murder?

What world view shall we implant into a robosapien? Let’s Ask a Robosapien what it thinks about the world view called moral relativism.