Foundation’s Edge (The Foundation Series: Sequels, Book 1)

by Isaac Asimov

‘It seems to me, Golan, that the advance of civilization is nothing but an exercise in the limiting of privacy.’

‘Nuclear explosions?’ suggested Trevize. ‘What would that have to do with it?’ ‘I mean, suppose nuclear explosions took place on Earth?’ ‘On Earth’s surface? Impossible. There’s no record in the history of the Galaxy of any society being so foolish as to use nuclear explosions as a weapon of war.

“1) A robot may not harm a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm; 2) A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law; 3) A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.”