The Concept of Artificial Intelligence and its Prospects from the Perspective of the Living Ethics’ Philosophy

Abstract

The article considers the concept of artificial intelligence (AI) using categories and basic principles of the consciousness theory developed in the Living Ethics (LE). The latter is a modern form of the ancient tradition of exploring conscious­ness in Indian philosophy and spiritual practice. Categorial apparatus of Indian philosophy contains rich variety of distinction which may be successfully imple­mented also in the modern cognitive researches. The article shows that more pre­cise definitions of the basic concepts allow to fulfill strict delimitation between “strong” and “weak” AI as well as between what is possible and what completely impossible regarding AI. Strong AI in a sense of possessing “subjective presenta­tions” appears to be impossible. But, a deeper understanding of nature of con­sciousness in LE allows to move the limits of what is considered as possible for the weak AI. First, LE asserts mechanical mode of operation underlying the most of intellectual operations. Hence, even “weak AI” may fulfill many functions which were before attributed only to “strong AI”. Second, LE defines conscious­ness and intelligence as inherent inner potential powers of material systems, manifesting also in their ability and tendency to self-organization. Therefore, some features of “artificial” intelligence may be reconsidered as manifestations of intrinsic “intelligence” of matter, which also implies wider possibilities for AI systems. Some parallels appear with major Western philosophers such as G. Bruno, Leibnitz, H. Bergson, E. Husserl, including recent approaches of N. Luhmann’s systems theory and B. Latour’s actor-network theory