Is a golem a robot?

[CheertheSecond]

Curious...

 

[Hoshino]

No! They are not.
Golems and robots are entirely different things!
A golem is a mythical creature from Jewish folklore, often depicted as an animated being made from clay or mud. Robots, on the other hand, are machines that can be programmed to perform tasks autonomously and are a product of modern technology.

 

[Clo]

Dictionary definition of Robot:
"A machine resembling a human being and able to replicate certain human movements and functions automatically."

A golem isn't a machine. But it resembles a human (often), and able to replicate certain human movements (yes), and functions somewhat automatically (often requires instructions, but is able to follow vague-ish instructions, like "protect this person")

So I want to say that it sorta is, sorta isn't?

Mostly the "Machine" part of the definition.
Dictionary definition of Machine:
"An apparatus using or applying mechanical power and having several parts, each with a definite function and together performing a particular task."

Most golems use magical power, not engineering and clockwork, so they're not machines, therefore not robots.

 

[Tsuru]

x2

Also for people tldr : Answer is NO

 

[owotrucked]

Yes you can call a golem a robot if you feel like it. It just wouldnt make too much sense for a fantasy setting to use SF technology lingo unless its a genre mix

applying mechanical power

Most golems use magical power

So a robot that use electrical power to apply mechanical power wouldnt be a robot because electric power isnt mechanical power?



Regardless of how the word was originally used, robots can now refer to industrial automated machine. So the word lost the aspect to resemble human.

Some writer also invented the word android to refer to human-looking machine.

 

[Cipiteca396]

Broadly yes, specifically no. The only real distinction is magic vs science.

 

[Deleted member 41774]

If you believe enough, it can be~ ?

 

[AmbreaTaddy]

If your MC is in a modern world and makes a metal golem, he could 100% pass it as a robot and be praised as a genius (even though he's just a bad golem maker that can't order anything else than 'stay' and 'move to his golem)