STANKULI@cs.umass.edu (01/21/87)
THE ANTIQUITY OF AI
As we are all probably aware, the term 'robot' was coined by Carel Kapek
(circa 1930's AD), but the concept of manufacturing intelligent, speaking,
humanoid, machines for labor dates back into antiquity. I have come upon
the following passage in Homer's Iliad (circa 725 BC). I would like to
know if anyone could send me other passages related to AI which predate the
Renaissance (circa 1500's AD). Particularly, is this the earliest known
reference to artificial intelligence?
To set the scene, Hephaistos is working in his laboratory when he
receives an unexpected visit from Thetis. (English translation will
follow.)
E KAI AP' AKMOTHETOIO PELOR AIETON ANESTE CHOLEUON;
HYPO DE KNEMAI ROONTO ARAIAI.
PHYSAS MEN RH' APANEUTHE TITHEI PUROS,
HOPLA TE PANTA LARNAK' ES ARGUREEN SULLEXATO, TOIS EPONEITO.
SPONGO D'AMPHI PROSOPA KAI AMPHO CHEIR' APOMORGNU
AUCHENA TE STIBARON KAI STETHEA LACHNEENTA.
DU DE CHITON',
HELLE DE SKEPTRON PACHU,
BE DE THYRAZE CHOLEUON.
HYPO D'AMPHIPOLOI RHOONTO ANAKTI
CHRUSEIAI,
ZOESI NEENISIN EIOIKUIAI.
TES EN MEN NOOS ESTI META PHRESIN,
EN DE KAI AUDE KAI STHENOS,
ATHANATON DE THEON APO ERGA ISASIN.
HAI MEN HYPAITHA ANAKTOS EPOIPNUON;
AUTAR HO ERRON PLESION, ENTHA THETIS PER,
EPI THRONMOU HIZE PHAEINOU.
EN T'ARA HOI PHU CHERI,
EPOS T'EPHAT EK T'ONOMAZE,
"TIPTE, THETI, TANUPEPLE,
HIKANEIS HEMETERON DO?"
HE SPOKE, AND TOOK THE HUGE BLOWER OFF THE ANVIL, LIMPING;
BENEATH HIM, SHRUNKEN LEGS MOVED LIGHTLY.
HE SET THE BELLOWS AWAY FROM THE FIRE,
GATHERED ALL THE TOOLS IN A SILVER STRONGBOX, WITH WHICH HE WORKED.
WITH A SPONGE HE WIPED HIS FOREHEAD AND BOTH HANDS,
HIS MASSIVE NECK AND HAIRY CHEST,
PUT ON A TUNIC,
TOOK UP A HEAVY STICK,
WENT TO THE DOORWAY, LIMPING.
IN SUPPORT OF THEIR MASTER MOVED HIS ATTENDENTS.
THESE ARE GOLDEN,
IN APPEARANCE LIKE LIVING YOUNG WOMEN.
AND THERE IS INTELLIGENCE IN THEIR HEARTS,
AND THERE IS SPEECH IN THEM AND STRENGTH,
FROM THE GODS THEY HAVE LEARNED HOW TO DO THINGS.
THESE STIRRED NIMBLY IN SUPPORT OF THEIR MASTER,
MOVING NEAR TO WHERE THETIS SAT
IN HER SHINING CHAIR,
AND TAKING HER BY THE HAND,
CALLED HER BY NAME AND SPOKE A WORD TO HER:
"WHY IS IT, THETIS OF THE LIGHT ROBES,
YOU HAVE COME TO OUR HOUSE NOW?"
I know the Romans used intricate machinations in their circuses and
theatricals, but I have found no reference of them ever being imagined as
anything other than amusing gear boxes. I have found nothing of the
Egyptians ever considering a device more complicated than a hand tool. Yet
Homer seems to have most of the essentials of AI described quite clearly.
Well, perhaps the earliest inference engine was the scales on which Thoth
weighed the human heart against the feather of truth.
stan
[Actually, "robot" was coined by Josef Capek in his story Opilec
(Drunkard) in 1917, rather than by Carel Capek in his 1920 R.U.R.
It apparently comes from the Czech word for "unpleasant work",
rather than the oft-cited "worker". -- KIL ]mbrown@ARI-HQ1.ARPA.UUCP (01/22/87)
There may be a reference that relates to AI in the Story of Gilgamish the King, a Summarian legend from about 2500 B.C. Neil Maclay MACLAY@ARI-HQ1.ARPA ------