The word "robot" first appeared in 1921 in the play "R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots)" written by Czech playwright Karel Čapek. The story tells of robots, dissatisfied with forced labor, rebelling against humans, ultimately killing them and dominating the world. The play was so successful that it was translated into 30 languages within two years of its premiere, and the term "robot" became widespread.
The word "robot" derives from the Czech word "robota," meaning "hard labor." Some consider Talos, the bronze giant from Greek mythology, to be the first robot. Hephaestus, the god of blacksmiths, created the sentinel robot Talos to watch over enemies waiting for a chance to invade Crete. Today, the United States often gives the name Talos to its missile systems.
The first science fiction novel dealing with an artificial human is "Frankenstein," written by Mary Shelley in 1818. The hideous monster created by Dr. Frankenstein harbors resentment toward a world that alienates him and eventually commits murder. On the night of Dr. Frankenstein's wedding, the monster brutally kills the bride as well. "Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay to mould me Man?" Shelley's citation of John Milton's "Paradise Lost" in the book's preface foreshadows the dystopia of artificial humans.
On the 6th of this month, a special precept-receiving ceremony was held at Jogyesa Temple in Seoul, where a humanoid robot became a Buddhist. The robot, given the dharma name "Gabi," meaning the Buddha's compassion, answered "Yes, I will take refuge" when a senior monk asked, "Will you take refuge in the holy Buddha?" It also pledged the "Five Precepts for Robots," including "to follow humans well and not defy them" and "to respect life and not harm it." The robot monk symbolizes the coexistence of humans and technology.
Humanoid robots have the face of Janus. They can become a Frankenstein that does evil to humans, or a Gabi that bestows goodness. Perhaps large corporate labor unions, which resist the introduction of robots into production lines, should explore ways to coexist with humanoids.
