Husserl’s concept of transcendental consciousness and the problem of AI consciousness

Edmund Husserl's concept of pure transcendental consciousness, derived through the phenomenological method of returning to experience, is examined as a potential model for artificial intelligence consciousness. The author argues that AI, being human-created, can only operate within the realm of phenomena, whereas human intelligence functions at an ontological level. Consequently, AI cannot possess the characteristics of Husserl's transcendental consciousness. The article suggests that despite scientific difficulties in understanding consciousness, Husserl's phenomenological concept may serve as a starting point for analyzing AI consciousness, though it does not review contemporary neuroscience findings.

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Abstract

Abstract Edmund Husserl, the founder of phenomenological philosophy, developed the concept of the so-called pure transcendental consciousness. The author of the article asks whether the concept of consciousness understood this way can constitute a model for AI consciousness. It should be remembered that transcendental consciousness is the result of the use of the phenomenological method, the essence of which is referring to experience (“back to things themselves”). Therefore, one can legitimately ask whether the consciousness that AI can achieve can possess the characteristics attributed by Husserl to pure transcendental consciousness. The answer to such questions seems to be negative because AI, as created by humans, can only operate in the field of phenomena. Human intelligence, however, is capable of operating at the ontological level. In the face of difficulties in understanding the phenomenon of consciousness on a scientific basis, the question arises about the possibility of using the phenomenological concept of consciousness developed by Husserl as a starting point in analyzes aimed at answering the question about AI consciousness (The aim of the article is not to discuss in detail the contemporary state of research on consciousness. Therefore, many results currently achieved mainly in the field of neuroscience are omitted. It is just about indicating the possible application of Husserl’s transcendental concept of consciousness in research on AI consciousness).