Comic #4051: machine-ethics

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Description

Here’s the transcription of the comic:

Panel 1: Suppose one robot is very low on energy and about to lose its memory. Then, another robot walks by, carrying hundreds of power cells, and it accidentally drops one.

Panel 2: Is it okay for the first robot to take the power cell and power up?

Panel 3: Does the first robot's programming say to value social norms about its own survival?

Panel 4: That's not the point. The question is whether it's ethical.

Panel 5: Does the first robot's ethics programming say to value social norms above its own survival?

Panel 6: No, like what ethical laws should govern its behavior?

Panel 7: The ones it's programmed to obey.

Panel 8: I feel like one of us must be missing the point.

Panel 9: I can tell you which one if you'd like.

This captures the dialogue and context as accurately as possible.