The Helpful Robots

"The Helpful Robots" by Robert Shea is a mid-20th-century science fiction story that considers ethical implications of advanced robotics. It tells the story of Rod Rankin, who thinks he has the upper hand in controlling the robots on his land, only to encounter a group from the Clearchan Confederacy programmed with the moral imperative of "Help thy neighbor." Rankin's attempts to exploit the robots clash directly with this principle, causing him to be judged by this very directive. This conflict explores important moral questions about obedience, explores the responsible use of technology, and teaches how selfishness harms communities.