Question?

Isn't murder the killing of one human being by another?

Define human!

Presumably, when we get to the point where there's no difference between humans and androids in terms of emotions and self-awareness, a different "rule book" will eventually be drawn up. One would hope so anyway (but perhaps I'm being optimistic, given the way humans treat other humans).

Not knowing the exact definition I would say a member of the human race but I stand to be corrected.

There was recently the story of the Robot who supposedly 'Committed Suicide' by throwing himself onto the kitchen hob.

It was a mechanical cleaning gadget - hardly a state-of the-art, walking, talking, thinking android. The media loves a fanciful story.

On the TV a few months ago I saw robots that the Japanese are making, and they are scarily lifelike - at least in appearance.

I think if I was a cleaning 'gadget' I'd commit suicide as well!

Do androids dream of electric sheep?

Actually, I once killed a vacuum cleaner that wouldn't pick up dog hair. I repeatedly smashed it on a concrete floor.

It was a mercy killing, it didn't want to carry on with it's inadequate and futile existence.

Hmm. Should you be nicknamed 'Basil Pheonix Fawlty' from now on .

We're veering towards Isaac Asimov territory are we not....

I think phoenix's quote is from Douglas Adams who was much more fun than Isaac Azimov, though I quite enjoyed some of his stuff too.

Wasn't "Do androids dream of electric sheep" what Bladerunner was based on? It's a short story by Philip K Dick.

Yes it is Blade Runner. But I'm thinking more of I,Robot.

Anyone seen Steven Spielberg's film 'Artificial Intelligence'?

Its about a robot boy programmed to love and acquired as a replacement for a son who is in a coma. I found it quite haunting and it raised so many philosophical questions.

Oh yes; it's the one that had a Pinocchio thread running through it; overlong and a bit Spielberged but terribly moving at the end. I'd like to watch it again.

I spent many weeks during a philosophy course at the university of London discussing "human" and "sentient beings". Bought back many frustrating memories.

I just woke up wondering it! Don't know what triggered it?

It's only Wednesday! What has become of you all?

Anyone read 'The Moon is a Harsh Mistress'? (Heinlein)

The intelligence there, Mike, short for Mycroft, apparently gets killed, actually very sad.

Many years ago.