In this blog post, we revisit the meaning of replicants’ existence and the criteria for humanity through the film Blade Runner.
Set in the year 2019, the film ‘Blade Runner’ presents a world where genetic engineering has advanced dramatically, while other scientific fields seem relatively stagnant. Centered on the innovative concept of replicants, the film poses profound philosophical questions about humanity and the meaning of existence. Within the film, replicants are called replicants and are created for various purposes. For example, combat replicants, assassin replicants, and others are designed for distinct objectives. Initially, the replicants function without issue, but over time, they develop emotions and begin questioning their own existence. Through this process, they seek to find their identity, sometimes causing chaos in human society. Fearing this evolution of replicants, their creator, Tyrell Corporation, installs a safety mechanism limiting their lifespan to four years. That is, replicants can only live for four years from the moment they are created.
In this situation, the replicants yearn to become human. They attempt to escape in search of a longer life and head to the company that created them, Tyrell Corporation. They seek a way to extend their lifespan. The film explores the boundary between humans and replicants through their escape and the ensuing chase. During this process, Deckard, a Blade Runner tasked with eliminating replicants, pursues them. However, Deckard himself gradually comes to sympathize with the replicants’ claim that they are no different from humans. I, too, wish to use this essay to argue that replicants are no different from humans.
First, let’s ask the question: what exactly is a replicant? In the film ‘Blade Runner’, replicants are beings created for purposes such as soldiers, assassins, or comfort. Similarly, in the film ‘The Island,’ replicants are created for insurance purposes to replace organs in actual humans. Thus, the question of whether replicants can be considered human is directly tied to whether humans themselves can be viewed as means. Seeing humans as means implies treating them as tools, which connects to the argument that creating replicants is permissible. Thus, one could conclude that cloned humans are not human. However, if one believes humans are ends rather than means, this aligns with the argument that creating cloned humans cannot be permitted.
Therefore, the question of whether cloned humans can be considered human ultimately hinges on whether humans are viewed as ends rather than means. I, too, believe humans should be seen as ends rather than means and argue that cloned humans can also be regarded as human. The primary reason for viewing humans as ends in themselves is human dignity. This leads us to ask: why are humans dignified? The answer can be found in the words of philosopher Kant. Kant asserts that humans are free beings, explaining that this freedom means possessing the moral capacity to create and uphold internal rules. This morality is the ability to establish universal rules one must follow and to adhere to them. Establishing such rules requires rational thought, and humans are the only beings capable of this rational thought. Therefore, as beings possessing morality, humans are more dignified than other animals. Because of this dignity, treating humans as mere means is impermissible; even if replicants were created, they must be considered human.
If cloned humans actually exist, we must consider another criterion. In the film ‘Blade Runner,’ Tyrell describes the goal of replicant creation as “more human than human.” So, what is humanity? The core of humanity can be seen as grounded in morality and reason. Morality based on reason requires the capacity for rational thought, a trait unique to humans.
From this perspective, the discussion of human-ness in replicants centers on whether they can engage in rational thought. The difference between replicants and humans lies solely in the process of creation; physically, they are similar to humans. Furthermore, unlike robots, replicants possess the ability to think for themselves. Indeed, cloned humans can develop rational thought through life experiences, acquiring memories and emotions. Therefore, they can establish moral laws grounded in reason, which serves as the basis for considering them human.
To counter the argument that cloned humans are human, let us first examine the idea that humans can be treated as means. Historically, there have been eras where humans were treated as such. For example, in Korea’s slave system, slaves were not treated as human beings but were considered one of the master’s property items. Slaves did not receive humane treatment, could be bought and sold, and runaway slaves were legally punished. Using this example, one might ask: if humans were treated as means in the past, is it not possible to view replicants as means? However, in modern society, treating humans as means is legally and morally unacceptable. Modern-day slavery, such as human trafficking, is an inhumane act of buying and selling people for money, strictly prohibited both legally and morally. The exploitation of labor from non-regular workers or foreign workers is also an act of viewing humans as means, posing serious moral and legal issues.
One might argue that if a human is born as a means, their existence is not an end in itself. However, this argument only holds from the perspective of the person who created that human as a means. If a human born as a means lives alongside other humans, they will inevitably reflect on their own existence and ultimately realize their own purpose. Therefore, even if born as a means, they can become a being with their own purpose. Even in an extreme scenario where they fail to recognize their own purpose, that human must still be perceived as a being possessing their own unique purpose. This becomes clearer when viewed from an internal perspective rather than an external one. The notion that an existence born as a means cannot become an end is ultimately just an external viewpoint.
I have now summarized my thoughts on the humanity of replicants as raised in the film ‘Blade Runner’. Replicants are beings created as means, but the criteria for humanity can vary depending on the perspective: whether humans are seen as means or ends. Furthermore, the debate over whether replicants possess morality hinges on whether they are capable of rational thought. Humans are ends, not means, and for this reason, creating replicants cannot be permitted. However, if replicants do exist, they too should be regarded as human beings capable of rational morality. In the scene where Tally meets the blade runner Deckard in the film, Tally states that the replicant’s goal is “to be more human than humans.” If I could intervene in this film, I would tell Tally: “You have already created humans.”
