The Just City - Chapters 31 to The End (April 2017)

[Marc]

Chime in here about the last half of the book or particular chapters or moments you'd like to discuss in the latter half of the book.

Did you feel the robots deserved rights or freedoms? If so, why?

Which characters did you connect with and did you find them changing your viewpoint or mirroring values/philosophies you already held going into this book?

[Peter]

Every scene with Sokrates in it. Gadflies for the win!

If the robots are sentient individuals, then the only choices seem to be to give them freedom or make or keep them slaves. And I at least am not going to recommend slavery!

[Marc]

Ha! Sokrates does keep things interesting.

I'm not sure much credence was given to the notion of keeping the robots as tools or slaves... I can't even really form that sentence without choosing a "side". There is that one part where they discuss how dangerous a robot could be by its mere size and strength. It's sort of like giving freedom to a giant-sized toddler. Simultaneously reminded me of a child-king coming to power with the early death of a king and at what point we'll have to allow certain rights to artificial intelligence(s).

[Sarah]

Marc wrote: "Ha! Sokrates does keep things interesting.

I'm not sure much credence was given to the notion of keeping the robots as tools or slaves... I can't even really form that sentence without choosing a..."

"giant-sized toddler" - Ha! Someone (can't remember who) pointed out the Workers had parts that could be used as weapons, e.g. knife.

Sokrates and the examination of life through the Socaratic method is my favorite aspect of this book. "Know Thyself"!!

[LindaJ^]

I think Walton did a better job of demonstrating the Socratic method than most law professors!

[Marc]

Very much agree that Walton did a good job carrying the Socratic torch.

Anyone read the other books in this series and want to offer up a spoiler as to what becomes of the robots?

[Peter]

Marc wrote: "Anyone read the other books in this series and want to offer up a spoiler as to what becomes of the robots?"

(view spoiler)[In the second book two robots -- Crocus and Sixty-One -- are still around and citizens. I haven't read it yet, but I understand Crocus is a point-of-view character in the third book. (hide spoiler)]