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Toward some circuitry of ethical robots or an observational science of the genesis of social evaluation in the mind-like behavior of artifacts

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Summary

Modern knowledge of servo systems and computing machines makes it possible to specify a circuit that can and will induce the rules and winning moves in a game like chess when they are given only ostensibly, that is, by playing against opponents who quit when illegal or losing moves are made. Such circuits enjoy a value social in the sense that it is shared by the players.

Résumé

La connaissance moderne des servomécanismes et des machines à calculer permet de concevoir un circuit qui pourra suivre des règles et décider les coups décisifs dans un jeu comme le jeu d'échecs tout au moins quand les coups sont joués de faÇon apparente, c'est-à-dire contre des adversaires qui abandonneront dans le cas de coups irréguliers ou de coups absurdes.

De tels circuits possèdent une „valeur” sociale dans la mesure où elle est partagée par les autres joueurs.

Zusammenfassung

Moderne Kenntnissen im Gebiete von Folgegeraeten und Rechenmaschinen ermoeglichen es einen elektrischen Kreis aufzuwerfen, der die Regeln und gewinnbringende Zuege eines Spieles wie Schach induktiv erfassen kann und wird, wenn diese Regeln und Zuege nur ostensiv gegeben sind; d.h. indem mit Gegnern gespielt wird, die das Spiel einstellen sobald regelwidrige oder verlustbringende Zuege gemacht werden. Solche Kreise schaffen demnach einen Wert, der gesellschaftlich in dem Sinn ist, dass er auch von den Mitspielern geteilt wird.

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This work was supported in part by the Signal Corps, the Office of Scientific Research (Air Research and Development Command), and the Office of Naval Research, of the United States; and in part by Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated.

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McCulloch, W.S. Toward some circuitry of ethical robots or an observational science of the genesis of social evaluation in the mind-like behavior of artifacts. Acta Biotheor 11, 147–156 (1956). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01557008

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