AI in "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep"

In the novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, the nature of emotions is a very intriguing theme, whereby there is no finite difference between the humans and the androids; both have troubles with emotions, even if humans can feel organically, while androids can fake it if they think about it. Rachael Rosen, a Nexus-6 unit, (an advanced android whose intelligence surpasses that of humans, but lacks empathy) is a true femme fatale who uses her cunning and charm to manipulate bounty hunters into letting her live.

In appearance, androids look virtually the same as humans, though their life span is only about four years (Androids, page 180-181) because the cell replacement could not keep up. Rachael specifically is described as having odd proportions with a seemingly large head and a child-like disposition (Androids, page 171, 172). The only thing “womanly” about her was her eyes. She had little to no curves, and was designed to be attractive, though nonsexual, which is very interesting seeing as her purpose was to manipulate men into empathy for her kind.

Rachael Rosen claimed she was not aware she was an android. Can this be possible if later on (Androids, page 183) you find out she was designed to disable bounty hunters from doing their job? Rachael’s sole purpose was to observe the Nexus-6 androids and figure out ways to make them stronger. She often did this by sleeping with the bounty hunters, which caused the hunter to have empathy with the androids. She did this nine times, and the only person prior to Rick who had resisted her manipulation was Phil Resch.

Though not explicitly stated, it is likely she was designed in the Rosen Association as opposed to emigrating from Mars like the androids on the hit list. Rachael also states, (Androids, page 177) that androids cannot reproduce. They are simply made to look the way they look, and after four years, they die. They can also be killed with a laser tube, (Androids, page 184).

Something philosophically interesting about androids (of the Nexus-6 resort) is what makes them different than their human counterparts; they look visually similar, and have a higher intelligence than humans, but I would argue they are dissimilar to humans in that they are not animals. If humans are rational, mortal animals, then androids are a rational, mortal, machine. While emotions—specifically empathy—are often tested as a differentiation factor (Voigt-Kampff test , first mentioned on page 29). I think humans have a hard time with emotions too because they have a Penfield, (Androids, page 1) that regulates and schedules their emotions for them.

I think the treatment of androids in general was harsh, though the ones on the hit list had it coming when they killed humans on their way to Earth from Mars. Otherwise, I think every being (from animals to “people”) should be treated with respect.  

[WORKS CITED]

Dick, Philip K. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Del Rey Paperback Edition ed., Del Rey , 2017.