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The Ethics of Knowledge in Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West | Essays about Games

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The essay explores the Ethics of Knowledge in Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West, analyzing characters' attitudes towards knowledge and the consequences of its preservation and dissemination in the narrative. It delves into themes of ethics, stewardship, and the pursuit of knowledge through characters like Sylens, Aloy, and Ted Faro, highlighting the complexities and challenges presented by different conceptions of knowledge in the Horizon series.

Insights

  • Lance Reddick's portrayal of Sylens in Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West is recognized for bringing depth and complexity to the character.
  • The essay delves into the intricate ethical dilemmas surrounding knowledge preservation, censorship, and stewardship, as seen through the lens of various characters like Sylens, Aloy, and Ted Faro, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of truth and the moral challenges inherent in safeguarding information for future generations.

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Recent questions

  • What is the Zero Dawn project in Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West?

    The Zero Dawn project aimed to terraform and repopulate Earth after a mass extinction event caused by Faro's machines. GAIA, an advanced AI, had nine subordinate functions for various tasks like climate regulation and human education. Horizon Zero Dawn is set in the 31st century, with Aloy discovering her origins and working to save Earth from HADES. Horizon Forbidden West continues the story, focusing on rebooting GAIA and stabilizing the deteriorating biosphere.

  • Who worked on the APOLLO project in Horizon Zero Dawn?

    Ebadji and her team worked on APOLLO to preserve data related to science, technology, and art history, aiming to empower future humans and connect them with their heritage. The APOLLO team's mission included preserving dying cultures and mourning civilizations lost to machines. The Ekumen's ethics were considered in creating APOLLO, emphasizing the importance of including conflicting subjective experiences and placing them in historical context.

  • What ethical challenges were faced in preserving cultural material for APOLLO?

    Ebadji rejected gratuitously violent submissions for APOLLO, highlighting the ethical challenges of stewardship in preserving cultural material. Questions arose regarding the responsible treatment of hate speech, pseudo-science, and transgressive art in a project like APOLLO, raising concerns about censorship and protection of marginalized voices. The failure of APOLLO, purged by Ted Faro, led to the repetition of old mistakes like prejudice, slavery, and war, hindering the creation of a peaceful Utopia.

  • How does Sylens differ from Aloy in Horizon Zero Dawn?

    Sylens, driven by a ruthless pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, contrasts with Aloy's mission to protect life on Earth and echoes the moral complexity of characters like Mordin Solus from Mass Effect. Sylens' actions, marked by amoral deception and indifference, pose a significant challenge to Aloy's values and her commitment to preserving Earth's heritage. Sylens lies by omission and withholds vital context to achieve his objectives.

  • What is Aloy's role in preserving knowledge in Horizon Zero Dawn?

    Aloy, a clone of Elisabet Sobeck, is resistant to being called a savior or champion, seeing herself as a tool. Aloy's curiosity and quick learning abilities are attributed to Sobeck's traits, and she resists being compared to her sister Beta. Aloy shares knowledge freely and believes in sharing for the benefit of all, unlike the Nora and Quen tribes. Aloy becomes a repository of knowledge and progress, embodying Sobeck's hopes for her hypothetical daughter.

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Summary

00:00

"Exploring Ethics of Knowledge in Horizon"

  • The essay discusses the Ethics of Knowledge in Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West.
  • The author played both games back to back, finding them immersive and exploring themes in science fiction.
  • The essay is available on the author's blog with citations and further reading.
  • The video essay provides an overview of the games' events, followed by analysis of characters' attitudes towards knowledge.
  • Lance Reddick's work in bringing the character of Sylens to life is acknowledged.
  • The Zero Dawn project aimed to terraform and repopulate Earth after a mass extinction event caused by Faro's machines.
  • GAIA, an advanced AI, had nine subordinate functions for various tasks like climate regulation and human education.
  • Horizon Zero Dawn is set in the 31st century, with Aloy discovering her origins and working to save Earth from HADES.
  • Horizon Forbidden West continues the story, focusing on rebooting GAIA and stabilizing the deteriorating biosphere.
  • The essay explores different conceptions of knowledge in the Horizon series, including the APOLLO project, Ted Faro, Sylens, and others.

13:35

APOLLO: Preserving Heritage, Facing Ethical Dilemmas

  • Ebadji and her team worked on APOLLO to preserve data related to science, technology, and art history, aiming to empower future humans and connect them with their heritage.
  • The APOLLO team's mission included preserving dying cultures and mourning civilizations lost to machines.
  • The Ekumen's ethics were considered in creating APOLLO, emphasizing the importance of including conflicting subjective experiences and placing them in historical context.
  • Ebadji rejected gratuitously violent submissions for APOLLO, highlighting the ethical challenges of stewardship in preserving cultural material.
  • Questions arose regarding the responsible treatment of hate speech, pseudo-science, and transgressive art in a project like APOLLO, raising concerns about censorship and protection of marginalized voices.
  • APOLLO was part of the Zero Dawn project, focusing on preserving languages, species, and human gene material in a race against time.
  • The failure of APOLLO, purged by Ted Faro, led to the repetition of old mistakes like prejudice, slavery, and war, hindering the creation of a peaceful Utopia.
  • Faro believed purging APOLLO would prevent future extinction events by avoiding the repetition of past patterns, viewing knowledge as the loss of innocence.
  • Sylens, driven by a ruthless pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, contrasts with Aloy's mission to protect life on Earth and echoes the moral complexity of characters like Mordin Solus from Mass Effect.
  • Sylens' actions, marked by amoral deception and indifference, pose a significant challenge to Aloy's values and her commitment to preserving Earth's heritage.

27:26

"Sylens' Vengeance: Sacrificing All for Knowledge"

  • Sylens uses Aloy as a tool for his vengeance against HADES, justifying his actions as necessary for knowledge.
  • Sylens lies by omission and withholds vital context to achieve his objectives.
  • Sylens rejects criticism aimed at him, believing his actions are justified for understanding Earth's situation.
  • Sylens views Aloy's criticism as unwarranted since their goals align, even though he doesn't serve the greater good.
  • Sylens deems his actions necessary regardless of individual suffering, willing to sacrifice anything for knowledge.
  • Sylens, likely a Banuk shaman, protects Aloy due to her unique position as Elisabet Sobeck's clone.
  • Sylens plans Aloy's death to continue without her interference, showing his willingness to sacrifice her.
  • Sylens urges Aloy to join him in space to escape NEMESIS, comparing it to Elisabet's sacrifice for Zero Dawn.
  • The Zeniths aim for digital transcendence, seeking to upload their minds into any form, leading to the creation of NEMESIS.
  • The Quen tribe controls knowledge strictly, with the Overseers declaring certain truths as lost or forbidden.

40:51

"Aloy: Knowledge, Legacy, and Resistance"

  • Ceo is portrayed as a bad boss who eliminates critics and aims to become the successor to Faro's legacy.
  • The Quen tribe hoards knowledge, viewing it as divine scripture, and isolates themselves from other tribes.
  • The Quen tribe restricts access to knowledge, citing attacks by other tribes and accusing them of jealousy.
  • Aloy, a clone of Elisabet Sobeck, is resistant to being called a savior or champion, seeing herself as a tool.
  • Aloy's curiosity and quick learning abilities are attributed to Sobeck's traits, and she resists being compared to her sister Beta.
  • Aloy's relationship with her Focus is crucial, as it allows her access to the forbidden metal world and Old One's language.
  • Aloy shares knowledge freely and believes in sharing for the benefit of all, unlike the Nora and Quen tribes.
  • Aloy believes she must emulate Sobeck to stop the apocalypse, denying herself distractions and friendships.
  • Aloy becomes a repository of knowledge and progress, embodying Sobeck's hopes for her hypothetical daughter.
  • Much of the game's information exists in Aloy's head through her Focus, emphasizing her importance in the narrative.

54:37

"Horizon series explores pursuit of knowledge"

  • Elisabet Sobeck prioritized her work over relationships, causing Tilda to question if their bond ended due to Elisabet's limitations. Aloy evolves into Elisabet's likeness, embracing a purpose beyond personal salvation, emphasizing the importance of relentless pursuit of understanding in achieving humanity's salvation. The Horizon series showcases diverse characters and worldviews, highlighting the fluidity of knowledge's interpretation based on context and perspective, challenging the concept of truth. The narrative's depth lies in the varied interpretations, approaches, and ethical considerations of knowledge and information, shaping identities for numerous characters and groups, with a notable disdain for Ted Faro.
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