AI and Souls

redmartian89 · Jun 3, 2007

to Christians and other theists:

Can AI have a soul?
When human beings create real AI, will it be eligible for Heaven or Hell?
Does AI have a moral precedent?
How would a Christian (or other theist) appproach AI?

baobobtree · Jun 13, 2007

Can AI have a soul?

I suppose a soul could be incarnated into a highly complex machine, or robot of sorts. Hindus think everything from whales to vegetables, to microscopic germs have souls, so I don''t see why a machine couldn't.

When human beings create real AI, will it be eligible for Heaven or Hell?

I really don't think a soul which inhabits, a microscopic organism, machine or certain species of animal is eligable for much more then reincarnation.

Does AI have a moral precedent?

I'm not quiet sure what you mean here.

How would a Christian (or other theist) appproach AI?

Personally, I'd do so with the same respect I would give to a living organism of the same intellegance.

Solidlyhere · Jun 15, 2007

Can AI have a soul?
Sure, if God wants to give it one.

When human beings create real AI, will it be eligible for Heaven or Hell?
Sure, if God wants it to be.

Does AI have a moral precedent?
What does this mean?

How would a Christian (or other theist) approach AI?
As an interesting hobby for science nuts.

VinceNoir · Jun 16, 2007

Solidlyhere said:
Can AI have a soul?
Sure, if God wants to give it one.

When human beings create real AI, will it be eligible for Heaven or Hell?
Sure, if God wants it to be.

Does AI have a moral precedent?
What does this mean?

How would a Christian (or other theist) approach AI?
As an interesting hobby for science nuts.

Saying if God wants to doesnt really answer the question. I think this question really depends on what is a soul in the first place?

Solidlyhere · Jun 16, 2007

Vincenoir replies: "Saying if God wants to doesn't really answer the question. I think this question really depends on what is a soul in the first place?"

OK, Vincenoir, why don't you jump in and explain to us what a soul is?

Whatever a soul is, Human Beings have one, but other animals don't have one.
It appears that plants don't have a soul either.
And rocks are also probably soul-less.
Even angels may NOT have a soul.

So, since only certain animals have a soul, that must be because God decided to give Human Beings a soul.
To me, this means: Unless God wants to give a soul to AI "creatures" that the AIs won't have a soul.
But, if God CHOOSES to give AIs a soul, that they will have one (because God has the power to do it).

VinceNoir · Jun 17, 2007

Solidlyhere said:
Vincenoir replies: "Saying if God wants to doesn't really answer the question. I think this question really depends on what is a soul in the first place?"

OK, Vincenoir, why don't you jump in and explain to us what a soul is?

Whatever a soul is, Human Beings have one, but other animals don't have one.
It appears that plants don't have a soul either.
And rocks are also probably soul-less.
Even angels may NOT have a soul.

So, since only certain animals have a soul, that must be because God decided to give Human Beings a soul.
To me, this means: Unless God wants to give a soul to AI "creatures" that the AIs won't have a soul.
But, if God CHOOSES to give AIs a soul, that they will have one (because God has the power to do it).

I dont know why i should provide the definition of a soul, im not sure what one is or if they exist in the first place. Could you provide a definition of a "soul" please.

Solidlyhere · Jun 17, 2007

OK, Vincenoir, I have tried to go along with you, but you aren't making sense to me.
First, your criticism to my Post is: "I think this question really depends on what is a soul in the first place?"
I offered you a chance: "why don't you jump in and explain to us what a soul is?"

Now, you say: "I'm not sure what one is, or if they exist in the first place."

This answer tends to make your first response confusing.

If you doubt that a soul exists at all, then what difference does it make what a soul is?

VinceNoir · Jun 17, 2007

Solidlyhere said:
OK, Vincenoir, I have tried to go along with you, but you aren't making sense to me.
First, your criticism to my Post is: "I think this question really depends on what is a soul in the first place?"
I offered you a chance: "why don't you jump in and explain to us what a soul is?"

Now, you say: "I'm not sure what one is, or if they exist in the first place."

This answer tends to make your first response confusing.

If you doubt that a soul exists at all, then what difference does it make what a soul is?

What's confusing about my responses?

I ask what a soul is. You respond by demanding i give a definition, after explaining that im not sure i even believe in a soul and asking what your definition would be, for the second time, you again avoid the question.

So, once again what would you definition of a soul be?

Solidlyhere · Jun 17, 2007

What is a soul (anyway)?

I, myself, don't spend much time trying to determine what my soul is, or looks like.

I visualize it as a Spiritual piece of me that is in Heaven.
When I am in-touch-with my soul, I feel close to God.
Of course, at many other times I ALSO feel close to God.

Beyond that, I don't care what it is.
My Spiritual Life is spent trying to get close to God.
If this soul-thing allows me to feel that way, sometimes, then good for me.

I think the person to ask is our OP, Redmartian.
But he hasn't Posted in 2 weeks now.

Whatever a soul actually is, it doesn't matter, in this Thread.
The question is: Is there a soul? If so, then people have one.
And, lastly, out OP's question: Can God give one to AIs?
I answered the OP: God can give AIs (if one is ever perfected) a soul if God wants to.

Defcon · Jun 17, 2007

redmartian89 said:
When human beings create real AI

Wow. First off, let's define AI. I assume you aren't talking about the complex software/machinery that is designed today that assimilates information and changes its behavior or outcome. It does this not because it, in and of itself, has actually 'learned' to do so; but because of the algorithms and programming methodology it is given from human programmers. Since you are still referring to 'when' as if a future event, you are actually looking for the Terminator/I Robot type of takeover.

Second, shouldn't your question then at least be 'if'? How can you claim it is inevitable? Quite presumptuous indeed.

Lifesaver · Jun 17, 2007

I don't think machines can have souls; in other words, I don't think machines can be said to be alive in the same way actual living beings are.

Machines simulate the functions of living creatures. They walk around, they "feed", they "see". Someday we will have machines that simulate human thought in a believable way.

But they will no more have a soul than the machine which behaves just like an insect does.

billwald · Jun 18, 2007

Long time ago when twins were born the last one out was killed on the theory it didn't have a soul.

A twin is a clone. Does an artificially cloned human have a soul?

Doesn't personally primarially consist of one's memories and habits?

randomman · Jun 18, 2007

redmartian89 said:
to Christians and other theists:

Can AI have a soul?

If God wants it to have one.

When human beings create real AI, will it be eligible for Heaven or Hell?

No. It's a machine created by humans. The only difference between it and an oven is that AI machine is more complex.

Does AI have a moral precedent?

depends on how it is programmed. it is just a machine that is executing lines of computer instructions. its morality is derived from the morality of the programmer.

How would a Christian (or other theist) appproach AI?

AI machine are created for purpose. same as oven being created for cooking.

Solidlyhere · Jun 18, 2007

Billwald claims: "Long time ago when twins were born the last one out was killed on the theory it didn't have a soul."

This (if it is true at all) wasn't done in our Old Testament.
It sounds like you are trying to be disgusting.

redmartian89 · Jun 20, 2007

Moral precedent, for those who don't know, is like significence or meaning. It can also be responsibility.

No. It's a machine created by humans.

What about the generations of AI either created or improved upon by themselves?

The only difference between it and an oven is that AI machine is more complex.

So, what you're saying is that complexity is the only thing mattering? The only difference between humans and bacteria is complexity?

What is a soul (anyway)?

For less confusion, let's define a soul as Webster does:

soul: the immaterial essence, animating principle, or actuating cause of an individual life

If God wants it to have one.

Solidlyhere, randomman, why does God have to give something a soul?
This doesn't answer my question on does AI have a soul.

Second, shouldn't your question then at least be 'if'? How can you claim it is inevitable?

Currently, we already have very limited AI on games and other programs, and it keeps accelerating. If this current expansion keeps up, the average 1000$ computer will have the computing power of the human brain in the mid 2020s.

But if you'd be happier if I said if, fine. IF human beings create real AI.

Zor · Jun 20, 2007

Asking if artificial intelligence has a soul is unconfirmable, just like a human having a soul, or an animal. It's utterly pointless.

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