The Value of Consciousness and Free Will in a Technological Dystopia
A. McCay
Journal of Ethics and Emerging Technologies September 1, 2018 DOI: 10.55613/jeet.v28i1.69 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Harari's prediction of human economic obsolescence rests on the assumption that humans are physically instantiated algorithms. Drawing on David Hodgson's account of consciousness, free will, and "plausible reasoning," the author contends that humans will always possess valuable judgment-based skills that non-conscious algorithmic machines, however advanced, cannot perform. |
Abstract
Yuval Noah Harari warns of a very pessimistic future for our species: essentially, that it may be superseded by non-conscious Artificial Intelligence that can do anything we can and more. This assumes that we are physically instantiated algorithms that can be improved on in all respects. On such an assumption, our labor will become economically worthless once AI reaches a certain level. This picture, however, changes markedly if we accept the views of David Hodgson in respect of consciousness, free will, what he calls plausible reasoning, and the relationship among these. On Hodgson’s account, there will always be valuable skills requiring a particular kind of judgment that are possessed by humans, but not by non-conscious algorithmic machines, however advanced.