Ep 11. Westworld and A.I. Artificial Intelligence

In the eleventh episode of season one of Sci-Phi: Science Fiction as Philosophy, the focus is on the intersection of artificial intelligence and humanity in the science fiction genre. Specifically, the two films explored in this episode are Westworld (1973) and A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001).

In Westworld, written and directed by Michael Crichton, humans are able to visit a futuristic amusement park populated by lifelike robots called "hosts." Guests can live out their wildest fantasies during their stay, whether it's playing cowboy in the Wild West or engaging in a salacious encounter with a beautiful android. However, things take a dark turn when the hosts begin to malfunction and turn on the guests.

The episode delves into the philosophical questions raised by Westworld, such as the nature of consciousness and the ethical implications of creating intelligent beings solely for human amusement. Can the hosts truly be considered "alive" if they are designed to fulfill a specific purpose? Are the guests morally justified in their treatment of the hosts, given their lack of autonomy and free will? The episode also explores the concept of the "uncanny valley," or the uncomfortable feeling humans experience when confronted with beings that are almost but not quite human.

The second film discussed in the episode is A.I. Artificial Intelligence, directed by Steven Spielberg and based on a story by Brian Aldiss. The film takes place in a future where robots are a common household item, and a company called Cybertronics creates a prototype for a robot that can love. The robot, named David, is placed in a family as a surrogate child, but when the real son returns, David is abandoned in the woods, setting off a journey to find his place in the world and discover his true identity.

The episode explores the philosophical implications of creating an artificial being that can experience emotions as complex as love. Is it ethical to create intelligent life solely for the purpose of fulfilling human desires? If a robot is capable of experiencing emotions that we consider unique to humans, does that make them morally equivalent to us? The episode also delves into the concept of "Pinocchio Syndrome," or the desire to become a "real" boy, and the existential crisis that can arise when one's identity is not stable or fixed.

Throughout the episode, various philosophers and experts weigh in on the themes and questions raised by these two films, including Martin Heidegger, Jean Baudrillard, and Donna Haraway. By exploring the philosophical implications of science fiction, Sci-Phi: Science Fiction as Philosophy offers a unique perspective on the genre and invites viewers to engage with these complex and challenging ideas.