Posthumanist Interpretation Of Machines Like Me

In Machines Like Me,Ian Mc Ewan,a contemporary British writer,explores the possibility of establishing a positive relationship between humans and machines in a posthuman society,while delving deeply into the nature of humanity and the future survival of humanity.In the novel,Mc Ewan examines the ethical dilemmas faced by androids and discusses the moral principles of both human survival and androids.He also poses a fundamental question: what makes us human?This thesis argues that the rapid development of artificial intelligence and robotics technology today has raised ethical and social issues that require serious consideration and appropriate action from humans in order to ensure a positive and sustainable humanmachine relationship and future.This thesis will analyze the body and consciousness of machines in a post-human society,explore the possible forms of human-machine relationships,and discuss the challenges that arise when humans and machines coexist,with the aim of providing valuable insights and discussions for the establishment of a good human-machine relationship.This thesis is divided into five parts.The introduction provides a brief overview of the author and his work,reviews the current status and trends of domestic and foreign research on the novel,introduces relevant post-human theories for the subsequent content,and explains the research purpose and significance of this thesis.In addition to the introduction and conclusion,this thesis consists of three chapters.Chapter One starts with an analysis of the differences and similarities between the body of Adam and that of humans and discusses the existence and development of Adam’s post-human body and self-consciousness.Adam’s body is highly similar to that of humans,blurring the boundaries between human and machine bodies.He can pass the Turing test,possessing self-consciousness,emotions,and thinking ability.Chapter Two analyzes how the two human protagonists,Charlie and Miranda,build a human-machine relationship with the android Adam,and proposes three possible forms of human-machine relationships:master-servant relationship,parent-child relationship,and partnership.While the first two relationships eventually end in rupture,the third one has the potential for a positive development.Chapter Three explores the possible survival dilemmas that may arise in a post-human society in the near future.Firstly,differences in moral standards and choices between humans and machines may lead to a series of ethical problems.Secondly,the challenges and crises brought about by androids include a rise in unemployment and the potential consequences of utilitarianism leading to genocide.Finally,considering the background constructed in the novel and speculation about the post-human society,humanity is no longer an exclusive characteristic of humans,and androids may become a new intelligent species.According to the above analysis,this thesis concludes that humans have created intelligent beings that are superior to themselves,namely androids.In the context of the rapid development of artificial intelligence,humans need to move beyond anthropocentrism,accept the changes and challenges brought about by technology,and must face and solve the moral and ethical problems between humans and machines in order to establish a truly harmonious post-human society with androids.