Human-Level, but Non-Humanlike: Artificial Intelligence and a Multi-Level Relational Interpretation of the Imago Dei

The doctrine of the imago Dei is central for theological anthropology, but its meaning is still being disputed. With many equally appealing competing interpretations, it does not seem likely that a solution can emerge on theological grounds alone. This paper argues that a surprising lifeline can be...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Philosophy, theology and the sciences
Main Author: Dorobantu, Marius (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Mohr Siebeck 2021
In: Philosophy, theology and the sciences
Year: 2021, Volume: 8, Issue: 1, Pages: 81-107
RelBib Classification:NBE Anthropology
NCJ Ethics of science
Further subjects:B Imago Dei
B Strong artificial intelligence
B Human distinctiveness
B Relationality
B Personhood
Online Access: Presumably Free Access
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Summary:The doctrine of the imago Dei is central for theological anthropology, but its meaning is still being disputed. With many equally appealing competing interpretations, it does not seem likely that a solution can emerge on theological grounds alone. This paper argues that a surprising lifeline can be found in dialogue with the nascent field of artificial intelligence (AI). Looking at where AI currently struggles in its attempt to replicate human cognition and behavior provides strong clues that relationality is key for human distinctiveness. A hypothetical strong AI might achieve human-level intelligence, but it would likely be very non-humanlike. In such a scenario, human distinctiveness could best be accounted for by a relational interpretation, but one structured on multiple levels of varying theological commitment.
ISSN:2197-2834
Contains:Enthalten in: Philosophy, theology and the sciences
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1628/ptsc-2021-0006