Siobhan Lyons

This chapter investigates the notion of ‘machine consciousnessMachine consciousness’ and the concept of a ‘robot life’. The chapter focuses on current debates surrounding the ‘hard problem of consciousness’, and the potential link between machines and consciousnessBrainand consciousness in science and technology. This chapter also deals with the significant ethical implications of the development of machine lifeMachine life, including the development of autonomous weaponry or ‘killer robots’Killer robots, as well as the potential loss of an ‘essential’ humanity. Finally, this chapter examines the persistence of the ‘Frankenstein ComplexFrankenstein complex’, before challenging commonplace assumptions about the malevolent potential of a robot species.

This chapter examines the portrayal of robot deaths in popular culture. The portrayal of robot deaths in film and television allows for a broader understanding of the manner in which we view and treat the phenomenon of death as something inherently biological. This chapter also investigates the manner in which we employ language to further separate humans from machines. Popular culture is particularly useful in offering an alternative perspective when discussing the notion of machine mortality, focusing more on behaviour, rather than biology. Furthermore, this chapter discusses the extent to which a robot could be considered a divine figure.

In this concluding chapter, I finalise the debate regarding the manner in which society has viewed itself in a superior manner in regards to life and death. Deleuze, GillesPopular culturerole in philosophy, I argue how robots, in their future form, can be seen as what Deleuze calls a ‘people-to-come’, ushering in a new understanding a ways of being and ways of dying that do not abide by or conform to a rigid, biological constraint. I also argue how consciousness does not necessarily hold the same importance it once did in the economy of life, while death can be seen more as a moral phenomenon, rather than an intrinsically biological one.

In this chapter, I discuss the significance of death in regards to understanding humanity and existence. I examine how the Fear of death is seen to define humanity, and is often understood as a uniquely biological phenomenon. This chapter also discusses the development of Transhumanism, with robots becoming more human-like, and humans becoming more machine-like in their quest for Immortality. Such developments are radically altering the conventional understanding of what it means to be a human and what it means to die. While the parameters of humanity are being amended to potentially include machines, the notion of death itself is also being reconfigured to potentially accommodate a non-biological death.

Looking at the often remorseless, inhumane manner in which both the creators and guests approach the robotic hosts, this chapter argues that the integral concept of “humanity” is challenged and transformed in a discussion of Westworld. While the hosts of Westworld are, indeed, robotic, lacking human biological construction, they are made to look increasingly human. In Westworld, evidence of the uncanny valley is seen in the way in which the robot hosts evolve. Taking into consideration the inherent distinctions between the hosts and the guests, the robots of Westworld can be understood as corresponding more accurately to the ideals of humanity and “human excellence” than the humans themselves. In the struggle and constant suffering of robots of Westworld to gain consciousness and regain their memories, the robots achieve a significant, unique aspect of humanity, quite distinct from the apparent humanity of the show's humans.