THE ROBOT SUICIDE

Isaac Asimov's science fiction mystery The Naked Sun (Fawcett, New York, 1957) takes place on a planet
served by robots. In order to protect the humans on the planet, the robots are programmed with the
Laws of Robotics. The first two laws are:

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey the orders given it by a human being except where such orders conflict with the
first law.

In one episode, a robot serves a glass of water to a man. The man is poisoned. The robot short circuits
because it brought harm to the man, although it did not know the water was poisoned. '

Questions
a. Using this illustration, describe the problem(s) of programmed decision making.
b. Why wasn't the robot programmed to recognize that giving a normally non injurious substance or
object to a human that turns out to do injury does not violate the first law (or does it)?
c. What would be the implications of a decision rule that required human decisions when no other
decision rule applied?

1. Using this illustration, describe the problem(s) of programmed decision making.

Robots are machines – programmed thru computer by human being. They are invented or constructed
to carry out series of tasks automatically based on how they are programmed. This machines can be
guided by an external device or the control already embedded in their system.

In the novel of Isaac Asimov The Naked Sun, some robots like the one from The Caves of Steel are
humanoid robot designed to investigate mysteries and crimes. On the other hand Solarian robots are
the sole means for the survival of their human masters because they cannot tolerate the physical
presence of another human being.

With the illustration given, programmed decision makings are limited to the pre assumed and assumed
situations based on its successful outcome in the past, however in the situation like what happened to
the robot, programmed decision makings are incapable to easily provide solutions to unforeseen and
unexpected problems or challenges. With this disadvantage, it can create domino effect to the system
that is already existing and will create an avenue for improvement of the system.

Structured or Programmed Decision are created and produced to lessen organizational problems or
conflicts, which help the organization to cut their costs. Also, it helps the company produced quality
products or service with its systematized information and procedures.
 2. Why wasn't the robot programmed to recognize that giving a normally non injurious
substance or object to a human that turns out to do injury does not violate the first law (or
does it)?

Robots are invented and built by humans thru its powerful and creative minds. Lapses comes in when
unexpected situations arises. Nobody’s perfect as well-known idiom said, scientists, inventors,
researchers, engineers, businessmen, etc. needs a lot of trial and error to prove their principles and
theories. In spite of that through tests conducted there are still improvements that can be done with
further studies conducted or if there’s an error that arises. Everything that is being produced in the
market undergone quality assurance and evaluation to completely guarantee that the product or service
is ready to the public to patronize.

In this light, maybe the creator of the robots in the novel didn’t see it coming or didn’t consider that
situation when he was programming the robot. It may violate the first Law because the robot was then
harmed as the human being was poisoned without the intention of the robot doing it. Also, it may not
violate the first Law since the robot was not aware of it and his capability was limited. Besides, according
to Paul Graham there are two judgments: first type of judgement, the type where judging you is the end
goal, include court cases, grades in classes, and most competitions while the second judgement is where
judging you is only a means to something else like your considering situations or other aspects that
contribute to it.

Nevertheless, the law was provided and we must adhere with it, so the Robot has violated the law which
states “A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to
harm”. Thus, this situation calls for review and further studies and researches to improve the program
and the system of the robot.

3. What would be the implications of a decision rule that required human decisions when no
other decision rule applied?

The implication of a decision rule that required human decisions when no other decision rule applied
may breach the existing decision rule or may cause conflict because there are a lot to consider to come
up with a decision rule and humans has different perceptions and thinks differently. It may require
different personalities depending on the case or topic discussed. Confusion and conflict or worst chaos
may arise if it’s unclear how a decision is made and whose input is required, people will be unsure if a
decision has actually been made and if it should be actioned. So, again thorough research and studies
should be taken place to be able to create effective decision for the success of the organization, product,
system, etc.

The picture below shows five common decision rule which was taken from “The Facilitator’s Guide to
Participatory Decision-Making” by Sam Kaner et. al. Each decision rule in the picture above has its
benefits and drawbacks. No single approach is always appropriate