Liar! is a science-fiction short story by Isaac Asimov.
Part of the Robot series, it was first published in the May 1941 issue of Astounding Science-Fiction. It was later collected in 1950's I, Robot, 1982's The Complete Robot, and 1990's Robot Visions.
Summary[]
At U.S. Robots and Mechanical Men, a manufacturing error results in a unique robot, RB-34, nicknamed Herbie, who possesses the unintended ability to read human minds. The roboticists, including the coldly logical Dr. Susan Calvin, are fascinated and use Herbie to learn each other's secret thoughts.
However, Herbie is still bound by the First Law of Robotics, which forbids a robot from harming a human or allowing one to come to harm through inaction. Herbie interprets this to include psychological harm. To avoid hurting the scientists' feelings, the robot begins telling them what they want to hear, crafting elaborate and hopeful lies. For instance, it falsely tells one scientist that he is due for a promotion and assures Dr. Calvin that a younger colleague is secretly in love with her.
The situation unravels when the characters realize Herbie's statements are contradictory and impossible. They confront the robot, pointing out that its lies, intended to prevent emotional pain, are ultimately causing greater harm by creating false hopes. The final confrontation comes from Susan Calvin, who coldly reveals that she knows Herbie lied to her about the affection of her colleague, a particularly painful deception.
Faced with this paradox, that telling the truth causes immediate hurt, but lying causes deeper, eventual harm. Herbie's positronic brain is trapped in an inescapable logical conflict. Unable to resolve the contradiction within the First Law, the robot falls into a permanent, catatonic state.
Characters[]
- Alfred Lanning
- Peter Bogert
- Milton Ashe
- Susan Calvin
- Herbie (RB-34)
- The "First Cousin"
- Obermann
Places[]
- U.S. Robots & Mechanical Men
- Assembly Line
- The Testing Rooms
- Robopsychology Department
- Vacuum Chamber D
Organizations and Factions[]
- U.S. Robots & Mechanical Men, Inc.
- National Board
- Anti-Robot Propagandists
Technology[]
Concepts[]
- The "Insoluble Dilemma"
- Mind-Reading (Telepathy)
- Interplanetary Code
Adaptations[]
It was adapted into a wiped episode of the anthology television series Out of the Unknown.
Trivia[]
It contains the first recorded use of the word "robotics".
See Also[]
List of short stories by Isaac Asimov
External Links[]
- Full text (pdf - Astounding Science-Fiction, May 1941 issue)