“What makes a human?” A Character Analysis of Sonny from the Film “I Robot.” (2004)
Characters, we always see them, be it in a from books and movies alike. They are often than not, dynamic, having unique traits that either make us hate them or love them. For example, maybe their physical appearance, having their own tastes in clothing, personality, having their own desire or goal to reach, and even history that are either shown or remain ambiguous for other people to speculate.
Maybe you, yourself can be a character in another’s story? Either way, characters exist as an important role a story’s plot as a medium to be used for the audience to experience and relate the story’s world. without them, it will be pretty hard to navigate through said world. which is why the character we are going to be discussing is an interesting case, a black sheep among his herd in the farm.
There are many, countless even, characters that are available throughout history. ranging from novels to films or stage dramas that actors perform. But for today’s article, I will talk about a character from the film that makes us wonder what difference does it make with us and a machine that looks like a human? is having free will make us different? Which is, Sonny from the film “I Robot.”, and how the characterization affects the viewer’s perspective of robots.
Robots and humans are surely different, right? The comparison between muscle and wires should be obvious enough, but what if they have intelligence of their own? although artificial, robots that can mimic human or human emotions is what makes the line gray between human and machine, making it even more difficult if they build the shell (body) of these robots that appear to be more human like. As the protagonist Detective Del Spooner said “You are just a machine, an imitation of life. Can a robot write a symphony? can a robot turn a canvas into a beautiful masterpiece?”. This questions are only surface level, but sets the tone and seriousness of how much different the people perceive robots in the story. Robots are just tools to some, but companions for the other. Seeing that there’s life, although artificial, there’s still life in them (ghost in the machine).
In the movie, sonny is portrayed to be a unique case from the various androids that exist in His world. He was introduced as a newer, updated model of NH-5s, more human like to make people more comfortable to have robots as a companion and helper in their daily lives. and fortunately, His programming as well, making him more advanced than any robot that were introduced. the Artificial Intelligence powering Sonny was created by Doctor Alfred Lanning, as an attempt to see how far a robot can be free, and go beyond of It’s programing. Which made Sonny, in the middle of the film has a realization that he is the one and only, unique android to have freedom over His actions.
Although He, being able to make His own choices, as a robot, Sonny is programmed and still forced to follow the Three Laws of robotics that is still implanted in His coding. Which states; “a robot can’t do harm or allow harm to come to it or humans by action or inaction” (Isaac Asimov). But throughout the film, he is still presented with situations that force him to make decisions on his own and shown that he can break through those said laws. for example the opening for the movie, it is shown that Sonny is forced to take the life of His creator (at his directives), escaping the law, and even forced to fight his “brothers” (hacked model NH-5s that are about to harm him) to even lead a new age where the robots are freed from the humans at the end of the movie.
And although He is quipped with an advance AI, He is still learning. Like a child, he questions everything, and it is almost the little details that we sometimes brush off. Which is why Doctor Lanning gave Him the name Sonny. This is specially the case when it was shown at the chase scenes and at the police station, he is still confused at how His ability and even existence work. Asking what He is and what does it mean when the Detective do simple gestures like winking. He would pick up and adapt on these little gestures however, quickly learning and making use of it when the time comes. Adding fast adaptibility to his list of abilities.
These traits makes Sonny represent the struggles inherent in defining the concept of “humanity.” Humans are complex beings, capable of both incredible compassion and cruelty, which are influenced by their culture, values, and experiences. Sonny’s struggle is to understand and grab these concepts and develop a sense of self that includes an understanding of the world and his place in it. Which he did eventually.
He is also very capable to show emotions. while being interrogated by Detective Del Spooner, Sonny is shown to have emotions of remorse, guilt, anger for his actions, and especially fear when he is about to be decommissioned while asking “will it hurt?” to Doctor Calvin. He even has the ability to dream, further emphasizing of how human like he is, even sometimes joking and or smiling when he does. making Him more human, and the viewers able to relate and sympathize at his experiences.
Sonny’s character raises profound questions about what it means to be human. The desire to understand emotions, to feel, to have freedom, is a deeply human trait. Even so, at the end of the day, does it make Him human? Can society consider him as one? is what always questions the perspective of viewers ever since Sonny is granted freedom. Fortunately, it can be answered by a quote.
“We think, therefore we are” (Rene Descartes).
“We think, therefore we are” (Rene Descartes). Is what Doctor Lanning have been trying to teach Sonny and us, the viewer to learn that as long as we posses the ability to think and ponder, to feel and to search, is what making us exist, we are here, whether we are human or not.
Get Thomas Evan Pramuditha’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
What’s important is that we’re still existing in this world, still walking and still searching for a purpose to fulfil. Sonny’s journey is a reflection of how we, as humans, come to an understanding of our own identity though the exploration of thoughts and feelings. By contemplating our existence and recognizing our emotions, we are able to define who we are and what we stand for. Humanity is not judged by it’s shell.
So in conclusion, the difference between human and machine are not black and white, it is a gray line that is still dependent to the person who perceive it. Be it from ethically or scientifically, we as humans always feel sympathy to those that resembles a human or those who can express human emotions. With unique characteristics including empathy and morality, any machine can force the viewer to question the assumption and beliefs they uphold in society.
Questions unaswered still remain however, can an Artificial Intelligence be considered human? At what stage can a robot even be considered human? Maybe there is even a ghost in the machine after all? That is for you to decide.
Written by:
63722015 — Thomas Evan Pramuditha
Universitas Komputer Indonesia
Reference
Asimov, Isaac. 1950. “Runaround”. I, Robot (The Isaac Asimov Collection ed.). New York City: Doubleday. p. 40.
Ryle, Gilbert. 1949. “Descartes’ Myth”. In The Concept of Mind. London: Hutchinson.
Descartes, Rene. 1637. je pense, donc je suis. France.
