Analysis of Robot Behavior and Byerley's Identity in Asimov's Universe

Chapter 6

1) How and why were the Nestors modified?

The Nestors were modified by not having the complete First Law of Robotics impressioned in them. It was modified so that the Nestors wouldn't try to save men who were working with radiation.

2) Why was the Nestor 10 lost?

Nestor 10 was lost because General Black told the robot to 'get lost.'

3) The scientist did three tests. Why are these things important?

a) Cubicles

The robots sat in the cubicles during the testing. They could not see each other, only the human in the middle of the Radiation room.

b) Heat radiation

Heat radiation was used during the last test and is harmless to robots.

c) Gamma radiation

Gamma radiation destroys robots, but small amounts are harmless to humans.

4) Did the tests succeed, or fail? Why?

The first test failed because Nestor 0 chose to save the man. The second test failed because none of the robots tried to save the man. This is because Nestor 10 had told all the robots that crossing the electric beams would kill them before they could save the man. This would not be logical behavior.

5) Why did Nestor 10 move on the third test?

Only Nestor 10 moved because only he knew they weren't using gamma radiation and that it wouldn't harm him.

Chapter 7

1) Why does Quinn tell the story about Byerley?

Quinn believes Byerley is a robot. He says US Robots must investigate because if Byerley is a robot, his positronic brain must have been made by them. So US Robots are responsible for Byerley's actions.

2) Susan Calvin says that there are two ways to prove that Byerley is a robot. What are they?

The two ways to prove Byerley is a robot are to look inside him, by X-ray or cutting him open. The other is if he breaks one of the 3 Laws, then that proves he isn't a robot.

3) What happens when Byerley is speaking to the huge crowd? How does this show that he is not a robot?

Byerley hits a man. This breaks the First Law of Robotics and proves he isn't a robot.

4) What was Quinn's theory?

Quinn's theory was that John, Byerley's teacher, was actually Byerley and had made the robot to replace himself after he had a terrible accident.

5) Why does Susan Calvin still think that Byerley might be a robot?

Calvin thinks the man Byerley hit might have been another robot. If Byerley hit another robot then he wouldn't be harming a human, so he could be a robot.