Hypothetically....

Question

If machines were created to serve, and make our lives easier, is that slavery?

-No, machines have no thought, no feelings, aren't alive, so can not suffer, or choose their own existence, so it's not slavery to use them for what they were made for.

Ok, so AI.  For sake of argument, the machine has true artificial intelligence, can think, and make decisions for itself.  Is this now slavery?

-No, the machine, even with thought, still can not feel, or suffer, and can not "want" for more out of its existence, would have no objection to fulfilling it's intended purpose.

Ok, what about a clone?  A manufactured, organic machine, that thinks, makes decisions, and feels pain?  At what threshold do we count it's pain as suffering?

-The "clone", was made to fulfill a purpose, and shouldn't "want", or "desire" anything but to fulfill its purpose.

So if an organic entity, fully functional, thinking, feeling, doesn't choose to be free, it's not slavery, no matter how much pain is inflicted on it?

-

What is cruelty?

-To cause unnecessary, and unfair pain or suffering to another.

What is pain?

-A negative stimulus understood as harmful for the purpose of behavioral adjustment to avoid damage to one's self.

Is negative reinforce different than pain?

-

Is an AI suffering by experiencing negative stimulus to shape it's behaviors to please its creators?

-

Are people free, or are we also servants to negative stimulus modifying our behavior to appease others?

-

Do we have the right to control, or hold dominion over anything but our own selves?

-

....

-

David · Accepted Answer

One can not conclude that something else does not have intrinsic value before understanding where one's own intrinsic value comes from. If one analyzed a human brain with the same skepticism as for robots and plants, one would likely draw similar conclusions that the human brain is just a lump of neurons reacting to stimuli. Our perception of what is alive comes from evolution, steering us to respect things with teeth, horns and claws, merely for our own survival. None of our gut feelings about what consciousness is can guide us towards any truth.

Hypothetically....

Randomthoughts Community

Related Posts

TAKE TIME TO LISTEN...👂👪🫂💕😍💝🫰🫶

BE IN CHARGE OF YOUR OWN!!!

I always wonder...

Is forgiveness always possible, even in the face of extreme betrayal?

Y'all, what do you think is the most important quality to look for in a partner?

MESMERIZING?!! ARE YOU?!!🤭😍🤪😜🌈💞🫰🫶