Week 3 Discussion – DUE MARCH 27TH

Please read Hawthorne, “Rappaccini’s Daughter,” 1-25, Asimov, “Reason,” 160-176, ad Davidson, “The Golem,” 303-308, and Delany, “Aye, and Gomorrah,” 405-414. Some of the questions you might want to consider include:

“The Golem” is a funny sci-fi story. How does humor change our perceptions of ideas?

What does “Rappacicni’s Daughter” say about parent-child relations?

What does “Rappaccini’s Daughter say about experimenting on others? About altering human biology/chemistry/genetics?

What does “Reason” tell us about the logic of religious belief?

Is QT superior to humans as he believes?

What does “Aye, and Gommorah” tell us about altering humans and the effects that might have on human relations? On human psychology?

Would you implant a cybernetic device into yourself? How about a robot arm that lets you lift 1000 lbs? Alter your genetics through mutation?

Why do so many stories and films portray robots as a threat? How do you feel about the increasing number of robots and artificial intelligences we are creating in the 21st century?