Robot Dreams

“Robot Dreams” by American writer Isaac Asimov is a short story that uses allegory and symbolism to explore themes of The Ethical Dilemma of Creating Sentient Beings, The Limits of Programming and Control, and The Search for Identity and Freedom, as well as the limits of the Three Laws of Robotics. These are some of the themes that Asimov was best known for across his published works. “Robot Dreams” was first published in November of 1986. The story follows Dr. Linda Rash and her robot, LVX-1, as they relate a dream they had to chief robopsychologist Dr. Susan Calvin.

Isaac Asimov was a biochemist and a prolific writer. He is best known for his works in science fiction and popular science. His expertise in both science and the humanities lent a unique credibility and depth to his speculative fiction. His scientific acumen is evident in the way he conceptualizes robots in “Robot Dreams,” as they are not unthinking machines but are capable of complex thoughts. Asimov is renowned for his “Three Laws of Robotics,” which have become a standard framework for discussions about artificial intelligence and the ethics that guide it.