Clarke's Laws, and Asimov's (and Tilden's) Three Laws of Robotics

Clarke's Three Laws

1) When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong.

2) The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.

3) Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

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The Three Laws of Robotics (Issac Asimov)

1) A robot may not injure a human being, or through its inaction, cause a human being to come to harm.
2) A robot must obey an order from a human being, unless it violates/conflicts with Law #1.
3) A robot must protect its own existence, as long as it doesn't violate Laws #1 and #2.

David Langford (a British sci-fi author and critic) modified the three laws:

1) A robot will not harm authorize Government personnel, but will terminate intruders with extreme prejudice.

2) A robot will obey orders from Humans, except when it violates Law #3.

3) A robot will guard its existence with anti-personnel weaponry, because a robot is bloody expensive.

There are two other (optional) Laws added by other science fiction authors:

4) A robot must know it's a robot in all cases, and establish its identity as a robot.
5) A robot must reproduce, as long as it doesn't violate Laws #1, #2 or #3.

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Tilden's Three Laws of Robotics:

1) Protect your existence.
2) Feed your existence. (i.e. obtain and maintain access to your power source)
3) Look for better real estate. (i.e. search for better power sources to protect your existence).


All original writing and art copyright A. Dameron 2000-2011