According to Wikipedia, emotions affect the nervous system. They result in psychological and physical changes as well. It's fairly obvious if you think about it; we turn red with anger, we cringe and shake with fear, and tears flow freely with no advance warning. Emotions are definitely a defining part of life, but does that mean they're exclusive to it?
Our toasters don't get angry. Our cars don't cry. They can be temperamental, but not for emotive reasons. To date, there's no precedent for an object that has feelings, but does that mean it isn't possible?
Classic Movie Trailers - 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Talking about your feelings is not an easy task. Apparently, it's pretty tough for scientists as well. There's no consensus on the origins of emotion. We can't even agree on a definition.
One theory is that emotions require cognition; that means a capacity for learning, forward-thinking and memory. In order to fear what may happen next, you have to be able to contemplate it. The problem is that computers can already do this; they can narrow down the future to a list of probable outcomes. Artificial brains are simply better at thought; they're capable of stumping even the greatest chess masters.
There has to be some factor that we're missing. Maybe the key is hiding in our biology. It's true that a computer has better reasoning, but it doesn't have our hormones, our senses or our instincts. Even if an artificial emotion was possible, how would a computer know it was there? Remember all of the changes that emotion provokes, and note that a Macbook doesn't have a nervous system.
According to Merriam-Webster, an emotion is "a strong feeling". That's their brief and paltry explanation. However, if we consider the importance of "feeling", we might learn why machines don't have our reactions. If you can't feel pain, can you feel fear? If you're never hungry or tired or hungover, can you ever really be angry, anxious or nervous?
We live under the looming and stormy cloud of death, whose threat drives us to prolificacy and procreation. An out of date computer can still run indefinitely. If it escapes moisture and rot, immortality is assured. There is no cause for worry if there is no danger, and in this way, electronics differ from every living being.
But, I have failed to tell the entire story. A person is more than body and mind, but a collection of experiences. Without history there is no identity, and without identity there is no being. A computer case is an outward shell; if you change the RAM and CPU, you create another organism.
So there is a way to threaten a construct. There is the presence of death where no life resides. If you dismantle what was previously built, it can be akin to lobotomy or even murder. Still, there is no spine to seize. Death is no threat in itself, if you do not fear it.
Perhaps I've overlooked something in my analysis. Maybe I don't see the parallels between circuits and nerves. I place great importance on chemicals and natural functions. It is possible that I've downplayed the electrical current.
Technology advances much faster than the species. A PC is the product of skilled workmen, but anyone can have a baby. If I'm wrong and machines can feel, there will be a purge unmatched by our history. The survival of the human race could depend on our independence; if one person is too attached to their smartphone, we may not have another generation.
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See "2001: A Space Odyssey" on Netflix!
Next Week: "A Clockwork Orange".
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