Monica Frances T. Hao ITETHIC
00A
Book: Cyber Ethics
Chapter 6.4: Subsumption Ethics
Library Reference: N/A
Quote:
Subsumption is the process of building larger components from smaller ones. In this sense, a cell subsumes DNA function.
Learning Expectation:
In this chapter of the book “Cyber Ethics” I want to learn what does Subsumption Ethics is all about. How will this chapter help me in appreciating the Subsumption Ethics? I also want to learn in this chapter if what does the Subsumption Ethics means? How does it help the industry? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
Review:
A subsumption is a way of decomposing complicated intelligent behaviour into many “simple” behaviour modules, which are in turn organized into layers. Each layer implements a particular goal of the agent, and higher layers are increasingly more abstract. Each layer’s goal subsumes that of the underlying layers, e.g. the decision to move forward by the eat-food layer takes into account the decision of the lowest obstacle-avoidance layer. As opposed to more traditional AI approaches subsumption architecture uses a bottom-up design.
For example, a robot’s lowest layer could be “avoid an object”, on top of it would be the layer “wander around”, which in turn lies under “explore the world”. Each of these horizontal layers access all of the sensor data and generate actions for the actuators — the main caveat is that separate tasks can suppress (or overrule) inputs or inhibit outputs. This way, the lowest layers can work like fast-adapting mechanisms (e.g. reflexes), while the higher layers work to achieve the overall goal. Feedback is given mainly through the environment.
Lessons Learned:
· Subsumption ethics
· Subsumption in robots
· Behavior models
5 integrative questions:
1. What is subsumption?
2. What are its fields?
3. How is it related to programming?
4. Is it relevant?
5. What can we contribute?
