But, I'd say that human life would be more valuable than sentient robotic life. Even if, somehow, the machines were more intelligent, and more powerful, and all around better creatures. Humans have our flaws, but we've staked our claim here.
If sentient machanical life exists, it is humans who created it. Therefore, human life is more valuable.
Of course, if we have gotten to the point where humans need machines in order to live, then both are of equal value to each other.
CptJSparrow
Would this remain the same if the machines begin to create human life?
It would depend on why they were creating human life.
Let us say that the humans created sentient machines in order to learn and the machines created humans for the same reason.
Then it would seem that they were of equal importance, but if one has to be more important than the other, then I think it would come down to a mere "Who was here first" situation.
In which case it would be the humans, who created the machines who created the humans for the evergrowing cycle of knowledge that began when some humans said "Let's make machines for knowledge!"
Out of the love of being a human and not wanting to be a AA battery, I would say human.
More importantly... If humans and sentient machines fought, who would win?
blooddemon666
it depends upon the capabilities of the sentient machines.
As a rule of thumb for the future, we shouldn't make sentient machines more powerful than an average human.
Oh, that presents us with a totally new predicament: should we simply give them the illusion that they are sentient so that they will be influenced to think in a certain way? -- Then again, we have to wonder if we humans merely believe that we are sentient...
Oh, that presents us with a totally new predicament: should we simply give them the illusion that they are sentient so that they will be influenced to think in a certain way? -- Then again, we have to wonder if we humans merely believe that we are sentient...CptJSparrow
well, the "sentients" would be made by humans to serve humans (call it slavory or what have you) so there should be some sort of limit to types of thought that the creatures would emulate.
From an objective point of view, both are equally valuable as both are forms of life. From where I'm standing, the sentient mechanical life has the advantage of not having time to become the total jerks that is humanity, so they get my vote.
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