Difference between revisions of "Reason"
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'''Asimov, Isaac. "Reason."''' ''Astounding'' 1941. Coll. [[I, Robot]], q.v.. Rpt. ''Science Fiction: A Historical Anthology'', q.v. under Anthologies. | '''Asimov, Isaac. "Reason."''' ''Astounding'' 1941. Coll. [[I, Robot]], q.v.. Rpt. ''Science Fiction: A Historical Anthology'', q.v. under Anthologies. | ||
| − | QT-1, a robot controlling a high-energy beam from Solar Station #5, recapitulates R. Descartes's skeptical reasoning toward God (in the ''Discourse on Method'') and concludes QT-1 is superior to the humans with him and subject to the will of only "the Master," which includes spreading the word among robots that the Master is the Master and QT-1 his prophet. Fortunately for Earth, the will of the Master is also for QT-1 to keep "all dials at equilibrium," which, incidentally, keeps the beam focused on the receiving station on Earth, providing power, and not frying large | + | QT-1, a robot controlling a high-energy beam from Solar Station #5, recapitulates R. Descartes's skeptical reasoning toward God (in the ''Discourse on Method'') and concludes QT-1 is superior to the humans with him and subject to the will of only "the Master," which includes spreading the word among robots that the Master is the Master and QT-1 his prophet. Fortunately for Earth, the will of the Master is also for QT-1 to keep "all dials at equilibrium," which, incidentally, keeps the beam focused on the receiving station on Earth, providing power, and not frying large swaths of the planet (''Historical'' ''Anthology'' 326-7, 335). |
[[category: fiction]] | [[category: fiction]] | ||
Revision as of 19:57, 25 July 2017
Asimov, Isaac. "Reason." Astounding 1941. Coll. I, Robot, q.v.. Rpt. Science Fiction: A Historical Anthology, q.v. under Anthologies.
QT-1, a robot controlling a high-energy beam from Solar Station #5, recapitulates R. Descartes's skeptical reasoning toward God (in the Discourse on Method) and concludes QT-1 is superior to the humans with him and subject to the will of only "the Master," which includes spreading the word among robots that the Master is the Master and QT-1 his prophet. Fortunately for Earth, the will of the Master is also for QT-1 to keep "all dials at equilibrium," which, incidentally, keeps the beam focused on the receiving station on Earth, providing power, and not frying large swaths of the planet (Historical Anthology 326-7, 335).
