인간과 기계 사이--『브이』, 『브레이드 러너』, 2백년을 산 사나이』에 나타난 인조인간의 문제

Abstract

The question of androids posed in V., Blade Runner, and The Bicentennial Man vividly demonstrate the need to come to an understanding about technological progress. Under the influence of deconstruction and postmodernist tendencies, studies made on the question of androids have focused on the binary opposition of human and non-human and attempted to deconstruct the imaginary 'homopocentric' dichotomy. This dichotomy is seen as an artificial distinction resulting from an attempt by humans to exclude androids from the human realm and categorize them as non-human. This view, however, fails to capture the dynamic tension that exists between man and android. Basically, androids can be regarded as artificial machines created as an extension of man's will and desire. Human-like intelligence and emotion are installed in advanced androids such as the replicants of Blade Runner and Andrew of The Bicentennial Man. Their intelligence and emotion are, however, no matter how complex and refined, created and controlled by humans. In this respect, advanced androids in Blade Runner and The Bicentennial Man are not much different from old-fashioned robots and machines like the electronic girl and MG in V. Thus, this study confirms the fictionality of the dichotomy between human and non-human and argues that the android should be regarded as a kind of projection of the human self rather than the Other. From a detailed examination of the love between Profane and electronic girl, Rachel and MG in V., Deckard and Rachel in Blade Runner, Andrew and Portia in The Bicentennial Man, it can be concluded that human love toward androids can be understood as self-love or incest rather than as union of the self and the Other. Bringing to light such relationships between humans and androids should open up a new horizon in understanding the complex question of technology in our age.