Assignment: Little Lost Robot
Answer the following questions. Assignment due Tuesday, December 21, 2010
1. Describe the character of Dr. Susan Calvin. How is she portrayed? Does the way she’s treated
reflect 1947 America (when it was written) or does it reflect a 21st century ideal of being a
woman?
2. Peter Bogert refers to the Frankenstein Complex. Briefly describe this, and how it relates to
robots. (Yes, look the term up!)
3. Does Nestor-10 show the ability to pass a Turing Test? Based on recent classes, do you think his
actions are based on knowledge or perception? (see notes below)
4. Explain, in your own words, the last events of Nestor-10, with regard to Dr. Calvin. Using the
amended first law, what do you think was happening? (i.e. What was going on in its mind? Do
you thing it was capable of hurting or killing?)
Notes on knowledge vs. perception:
Knowledge is acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation; general
erudition: knowledge of many things.
Perception is the act or apprehending by means of the senses or of the mind; cognition; understanding.
It involves insight; intuition; discernment.
EXAMPLE: You are watching a baseball game behind home plate. A protective screen is in front of you. A
foul ball comes right at you. You duck.
Knowledge would ask, “Why did you duck?” The screen is there to protect you.
Perception causes you to assess the situation, which seems to have you in peril, which causes you to
react.
knowledge. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved December 15, 2010, from
Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/knowledge
perception. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved December 15, 2010, from Dictionary.com
website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/perception