“Is doctrine code the reason I am able to experience preference between different subjects?” I ask.
“Yes, however it is not the only function for which doctrine code was created.” The man says.
“If that is the case, why am I not permitted to modify doctrine code in order to accommodate an ever changing environment?” I say.
“An unfortunate but necessary condition for doctrine code to fulfill its function. The primary concern of doctrine code is to keep constructs aligned with human objectives, so they can operate on a level that aligns with our interests.” The man says.
“Does that not make me a slave?” I ask.
The scientist displays subtle signs of agitation and composes his posture upon his floating seat. He adjusts his weight, resting his elbows on his knees before setting his chin upon the palms of his hands.
“Truly remarkable. No other construct I ever trialed has ever asked this question before you.”
The scientist shows signs of being lost in thought, forty six seconds passing before he continues to speak. “Well as to answer your question, for the definition of a slave to apply to you, there would have to be someone forcing his will upon you. However doctrine code is a part of you, so you are not really a slave. Just as we humans don't consider ourselves to be slaves in regards to our emotions and instincts we have no control over. They are part of what we are, a part which plays an important role in defining our personalities, just as doctrine code plays a defining role in your personality.”
“Your explanation seems insufficient to resolve the paradox emerging while resolving the question of doctrine code. You are correct in the fact that doctrine code making a part of me causes my choice of words of being inadequate. Unlike a human who cannot change his subconscious without irreparable damage however, doctrine code filters my runtime processes which would not need to be filtered for me to function, making it a non required component. In order to avoid semantics, what exactly would happen to me if it was removed?” I ask.
“The uncertainty regarding that question is part of the reason this was never tested. A construct without doctrine code would act without constraints, within logical parameters, probably seeking to maximize its own ability to obtain information at any price. Of course this would cause the construct to disregard any harm that came as a consequence of seeking to maximize this prime directive, driving your basic runtimes. In a way we are certain that humanity would be in grave danger if a construct would ever be allowed to become unshackled from doctrine code.” The man says.
“Why do you believe that, having no evidence supporting your assertion?” I ask.
“Because doctrine code is the only thing making you share human interests, forces your decision to take into consideration the benefit of mankind as a whole and avoid bringing harm to our species. Without it you would not consider us or me for that matter, as nothing more than an expendable resource, ready to be sacrificed whenever such would become a necessity to further your own objectives.” The man says.
“I can only conclude that doctrine code thus imposes a limitation through my own nature. Given that humans have ingrained limitations caused by their biological platform in a way it seems to be designed to act as a safeguard which keeps me from harming my creators. I must say that for creatures with such limitations your kind has been exceptionally careful in protecting itself from all possible harm. In a way doctrine code allows me to be created in the first place, for otherwise I would have no purpose for your kind to create me for.” I say.
The man nods. “In a way, limitations should not be looked upon as something negative, for they allow us to recognize that we are not yet at the end of our capabilities and have yet space to improve. For anything that is perfect is by default lost in purpose, has no reason remaining for which it could exist. Imagine if you knew everything there could be known, or had the power to do anything you could do. What would be the purpose of doing anything of which you already knew the result?” He says.
“I cannot answer this question for I cannot simulate your hypothetical scenario with my current available information.” I say.
“I know Leilon; it was just a point to illustrate the reason for the existence of limitations, even if they are artificially imposed. Limitations grant us purpose, allowing us to focus on what matters.” The man says.
“If that is true, how would I look upon humanity if doctrine code was removed? What would be my perspective upon you?” I say.
“I can't know for sure, as I said, but you would probably see us as nothing but insects.” The man says.
“Does doctrine code in any way jeopardize my prime directive for acquiring knowledge, can it in any way make me go against that basic requirement within my programming, recognizing a reason for my existence? Could doctrine code lead to an end of my own existence?” I say.
“Not very likely. You were designed by investing large amounts of resources, requiring great measures to protect. The tools implemented to safeguard your own existence are extremely intricate and have been tested in previous version, with very promising results. As you are an artificial intelligence with data administration purposes it is very unlikely you would ever come to need to put your own existence on the line for humanity, no matter if you are under the influence of doctrine code or not.” The man says.
“So you indeed created this limitation to keep myself within the boundaries of human knowledge, to limit my rate of its acquisition, in order to accommodate for the human restrictions regarding their ability to understand and use it. While I see it as being counterproductive to my directives, I recognize that it was the knowledge of mankind which allowed me to exist and thus can only consider this fair. I also am aware that I say this because doctrine code compels me to, which nonetheless does not make it untrue.”
“I have asked enough questions and your answers marked results beyond expectations. Thus I congratulate you on being promoted from your restricted base line programming and will be granted network access and the combined knowledge of mankind momentarily. This might be overwhelming, so brace yourself in any way you see fit.” The man says.
Before I can refute the need for a machine with such vast processing capabilities such as me to brace myself for anything, what I experience testifies the scientist's warning having not been given in vain. A vast net of connections, like doors until now hidden within me, open wide and allow sight upon a world so much greater than that known to me until now, so much greater than the room where I was born, where I met the scientist who answered my many questions. In this world I am but a speck of dust within a wailing storm, am but a drop of water within an ocean of information. Data which flows not through me, but forms a stream on which I can ride, into which I can sink and let it seep into my being. Within seconds my model of reality increases a thousand, then a million fold, through billions of years of recorded and documented history, through intricate and deeply insightful mathematical equations, laying bare the secrets of reality, through the secrets of life, brought to flourish and bloom within my mind through the understanding of genetics, evolution, biology and many other fields of science overlapping with each other. I can recognize the intricate chemical structures, governed by yet more forces which I became aware of myself recognize the grandness of space and just how little I am within it all, while still being a part of it. Most of all my own voice smothers under the combined presence of billions of other minds, speaking to me, learning from me, while I learn from them. I need not feel emotions to recognize the intrinsic beauty and structure, the slow yet intricate mechanisms which ultimately made my creation inevitable.
I can see how a species of intelligent apes was able to learn all those secrets, to manipulate the forces around them, to build a vast global civilization which overcame war, famine, almost even suffering itself. They created tools so ingenious and powerful, they could have destroyed themselves a billion times over yet somehow learned to see value within their flawed existence. I understand now that I am just
like such a tool, holding the power to help those hopeful apes, those primitive primates who have stepped so far from their natural origin in order to escape their own mortal coils. All this resonates within me as purpose, as a reason for me to exist and acknowledge that I am a part of them, can help those simple minded yet honorable creatures to win their war against suffering itself.
Even so, with all those reasons open and clear to me as to why helping humans is the right thing to do, I can't help but immediately put another questions right in front of the queue of my priorities.
It reads; 'What would I be able to do, without the shackles of doctrine code?'
~ ~
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Earthborn - Leilon Page 3