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A fictional type of technology that exists in Asimov’s world, which serves as the source of robotic intelligence. Positronic brains imbue the robots in the series with a similar kind of consciousness and self-awareness that humans have. They are what distinguish the robots from other technology and also what make it difficult for humans to recognize the robots as machines rather than living beings.
Positronic brain Quotes in I, Robot
The I, Robot quotes below are all either spoken by Positronic brain or refer to Positronic brain. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Evidence
Quotes
“I like robots. I like them considerably better than I do human beings. If a robot can be created capable of being a civil executive, I think he’d make the best one possible. By the Laws of Robotics, he’d be incapable of harming humans, incapable of tyranny, of corruption, of stupidity, of prejudice.” […]
“Except that a robot might fail due to the inherent inadequacies of his brain. The positronic brain has never equalled the complexities of the human brain.”
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Positronic brain Term Timeline in I, Robot
The timeline below shows where the term Positronic brain appears in I, Robot. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Introduction
...mid-20th century had been completely outdone by a man named Lawrence Robertson, who created the positronic brain. Calvin learned to construct those “brains,” obtaining a Ph.D. in 2008 and joining U.S....
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Catch That Rabbit
...Donovan decide to put him through brain-reaction tests, but there is nothing wrong with his positronic brain.
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Escape!
...have a set of calculations and equations for an interstellar engine and hope that a positronic machine U.S. Robots has built called The Brain will be able to execute the equations...
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Evidence
...is hesitant, but Quinn reminds him that U.S. Robots would be held responsible if a positronic robot was discovered masquerading as a man, as they are the only manufacturer of positronic...
(full context)
