Robots in early 20th-century science fiction provided an imaginative contrast with humans.
This lecture by Jim Endersby, Visiting Professor of the History of Science, will look at emotion, not reason, as the defining quality of humans, by examining some imaginary machines endowed with apparently human feelings. It will range from Čapek’s R.U.R. (1921), via Isaac Asimov’s Robot stories, to movies such as Blade Runner (1982) and Ex Machina (2014).
This is a hybrid lecture that you can watch online, in person, or later (at a time to suit you)
Jim is Visiting Gresham Professor in the History of Science.
He is Professor of the History of Science at the University of Sussex and specialises in Victorian natural history and the modern genetics and has presented programmes for BBC Radio 4.
Professor Endersby's lecture series are as follows:
2021/22 How Not To Be Human: Exploring Humanity Through Science Fiction
2020/21 Darwin's Descent: Monkeys, Orchids and Myths
2019/20 Utopian Gardens
You can book free tickets to watch in person or online via the link.
