Topics for Analysis » QT, the Existential Robot

QT, the Existential Robot

Rationalism vs. Empiricism

These concepts have a long history in philosophy. We will just scratch the surface of the differences and applications of both. For a more thorough discussion, take a Philosophy class. You’ll be a more careful, curious, critical thinker if you do. Throughout our discussion of these terms, rationalism is associated with reason, and empiricism is associated with (direct) observation. In Asimov’s short story “Reason,” QT (Cutie) is a rationalist, and Donovan and Powell are empiricists.*

  • Rationalism: knowledge is derived from deduction based on intuition or assumptions one doesn’t question because they are considered true; they are a priori knowledge.
    • The most famous type of rational argument is the syllogism. A syllogism deduces conclusions based on Major and Minor premises. For example,
    • Major Premise: All men are mortal;
    • Minor Premise: Socrates is a man;
    • Conclusion: Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
  • Empiricism: knowledge is derived by observing the world through sense experience to gather evidence. This is the basis of scientific knowledge—empirical evidence.

Deduction vs. Induction (reasoning)

Broadly speaking, there are two ways to arrive at conclusions, deduction and induction.

  • Deduction is described above and uses general ideas (assumptions) to arrive at specific conclusions.
  • Induction is related to empiricism and starts with specific observations and moves to general probabilities. It doesn’t lead to absolute truth. This method of analysis identifies probable conclusions and is the basis for scientific observations and theories.

Remember, however, no one is a strict anything when it comes to philosophical stances. We don’t strictly adhere to one way to the truth or assumed truth; instead, we often reach conclusions based on context. In other words, we may be more likely to privilege reason and deduction in one circumstance and empiricism and induction in another circumstance. What is important for this class is to try to determine what kind of reasoning particular parties (scientists, engineers, humanoid robots, the monster, etc.) use to reach conclusions. We aren’t going to focus on the conclusion. We are more interested in how (or why) they reached their conclusions.

Asimov, Isaac “Reason” (1941/1946)

From a Biblical example (on American Exceptionalism) to, well, perhaps, quite the opposite. Asimov is certainly making a comment about religion, but it’s not so simply an anti-religious comment. There’s a philosophical debate going on between QT and Powell & Donovan.

Before getting into the religious discussion, think about QT’s position: He’s on a spaceship with no memory of Earth. He recognizes he’s superior to Powell and Donovan, so he starts drawing conclusions that are quite similar to the conclusions those promoting an American exceptionalism ideology draw—we’re better; therefore, we should give orders.

Major Quotations from Asimov’s “Reason”

Below are places in the story that we should remember. I selected ones that had much to say about rationalism vs. empiricism.

  •  p. 319: Theory and reality…“Mathematical squiggles on paper were not always the most comforting protection against robotic fact.”
  • p. 320: QT doubts Donovan and Powell created him…“Call it intuition….I intend to reason it out, though. A chain of valid reasoning can end only with the determination of truth.” {emphasis mine}
  • p. 323: QT, “a robot Descartes!” “I, myself, exist, because I think.”
  • p. 323: Not reasonable to conclude a lesser being created him…“I accept nothing on authority. A hypothesis must be backed by reason, or else it is worthless.”
  • p. 324: “I…am a finished product.”
  • p. 327: QT, the robot prophet…“These are robots—and that means they are reasoning beings. They recognize the Master….They call me the prophet.”
  • p. 329: The Laws of Robotics make QT have a soft side for the humans…“I like you two. You’re inferior creatures, with poor reasoning faculties, but I really feel a sort of affection for you.”
  • p. 330: QT assumes the stars are “optical illusion[s] of our instruments.” After all, “[s]ince when is the evidence of our senses any match for the clear light of rigid reason?” {emphasis mine}
    • If the “facts” don’t fit our a priori assumptions, we’d like to ignore them.
    • Scientists must be open to their initial assumptions being wrong.
  • p. 330: Knowledge… “There are some things…that are not to be probed into by us….I seek only to serve and not question.”
  • p. 332-3: Books aren’t valid for QT. Only reason, not evidence is the way to the truth…“Because I, a reasoning being, am capable of deducing Truth from a priori Causes. You, being intelligent, but unreasoning, need an explanation of existence supplied to you, and this the Master did.”
  • p. 333: Powell notices it’s a lost cause to try to change QT’s mind…“You can prove anything you want by coldly logical reason—if you pick the proper postulates. We have ours and Cutie has his.”
  • p. 333: Confidence is contagious!
  • p. 334: “Postulates are based on assumption and adhered to by faith. Nothing in the Universe can shake them.”
  • p. 336: QT (indirectly) fulfills the 3 Laws of Robotics.

What did QT do when the electronic storm happened?

Interesting Anachronisms, Predictions, and Objects for “Reason’s” future setting

  • p. 321: “Good old Earth. There are three billion of us there.”
  • p. 321: “Powell…polished an apple upon his sleeve before biting into it.”
  • p. 322: paperback mystery novel
  • p. 325: almonds
  • p. 335: sheets of paper and file folders
  • p. 318: John W. Campbell was a science fiction writer and more famous as Editor of the sci fi magazine Astounding.

QT as a Metaphor for Human Reason…

This is a reading, an interpretation of many other possible ones, but it will come back in other science fiction texts. The robots in “Reason” and the rest of Asimov’s robot stories (see I, Robot for his most famous ones) are humans. We make up stories about where we come from; we participate in hierarchies for efficiency (or the assumption of efficiency); we create tools to accomplish goals. QT is in space making sure he serves the Master, and Earth gets the energy it needs. We’re here on Earth using mobile phones and don’t need to know anything about satellites, towers, or signals. We’ve seamlessly weaved most technologies into ours lives without having a full understanding of them. Another theme in science fiction this will bring up is the anxiety of not being fully in control of our destinies. Authors create alien invaders with superior technologies to play out these (mostly) unconscious social anxieties.

*However, if you read the entire book I, Robot, you could argue that Donovan and Powell are predominantly rationalists that base their assumptions about robot behavior on intuition. Their intuition, which they use to figure out what’s wrong with the robots, is their knowledge of the 3 Laws of Robotics. That knowledge is a priori. Remember, you’ll need to be able to deal with ambiguity in this class…