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Can Machines be People, Too? | Fr. Anselm Ramelow, O.P.

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Apr 1, 2025

Guest

Fr. Anselm Ramelow, O.P.

Fr. Anselm Ramelow, a professor of philosophy at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, dives into the intriguing question of whether machines can possess personhood. He argues that true consciousness, unity, and desire are inherently human qualities that machines lack. The discussion touches on the complexities of human experience, the philosophy of technology, and contrasts human understanding with machine processing. By examining intentionality and the uniqueness of human thought, Fr. Ramelow emphasizes the profound distinctions between artificial intelligence and genuine human intellect.

52:30

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insights

INSIGHT

Being vs. Functioning

Human personhood is about being, not just performing functions.
Computers may outperform humans, but they lack the essential quality of being.

insights

INSIGHT

Simulation vs. Reality

Perfect simulation doesn't equate to reality.
A more perfect simulation is still just a simulation, not the real thing.

insights

INSIGHT

Mechanistic Self-Image

Our perception of machines as human-like might stem from our mechanistic view of ourselves.
Materialistic self-image influences how we view machines.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Exploring the Depths of Consciousness: Human Experience vs. Materialism

07:32 • 23min

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The Nature of Desire, Intention, and Machine Understanding

30:22 • 9min

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The Uniqueness of Human Consciousness and Thought

38:57 • 12min

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Distinctions Between Human Intellect and Artificial Intelligence

50:28 • 2min

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Minds, Brains, and Science

John Searle

Gott, Freiheit, Weltenwahl, Leiden

Fr. Anselm Ramelow OP

Consciousness explained

Daniel Dennett

In *Consciousness Explained*, Daniel Dennett undertakes a full-scale exploration of human consciousness. He challenges the traditional, commonsense theory of consciousness and introduces the 'Multiple Drafts' model as an alternative to the 'Cartesian Theater' concept. Dennett draws on a wealth of information from neuroscience, psychology, and artificial intelligence to transform current theories about conscious life in humans, animals, and even robots. The book is praised for its accessible and engaging style, making complex scientific and philosophical concepts highly digestible for both experts and general readers.

Being and time

Martin Heidegger

In 'Being and Time', Heidegger delves into the fundamental question of what it means to 'be'. The book is divided into two main divisions: the first analyzes the existentials of Dasein, or 'being-in-the-world', while the second grounds these existentials in temporality. Heidegger introduces key concepts such as 'Dasein', 'Being-with', and the three temporal ecstases (having-been, present, and to-come), emphasizing that Dasein's existence is essentially futural and characterized by its possibilities and projects. The work challenges traditional philosophical notions of subject and object, instead positing that Dasein is inseparable from its world and historical context.

De Anima

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Aristotle

Aristotle's De Anima (On the Soul) is a seminal work in the history of philosophy and psychology. It explores the nature of the soul, its relationship to the body, and its various functions. Aristotle rejects Plato's theory of the soul as a separate, immortal entity, arguing instead that the soul is the form or essence of a living organism. He distinguishes between different types of souls, from the vegetative soul of plants to the rational soul of humans. De Anima significantly influenced subsequent philosophical and scientific thinking about the mind and consciousness, shaping discussions on the nature of life and intelligence.

Confessions

Augustine

Written in Latin between AD 397 and 400, 'Confessions' is a blend of autobiography, philosophy, theology, and critical exegesis of the Christian Bible. The first nine books are autobiographical, tracing Augustine's life from his birth to his conversion to Catholicism. He recounts his sinful youth, his involvement with Manicheism and Neoplatonism, and his eventual conversion in a Milanese garden. The last four books focus on philosophical and theological issues, including memory, time, eternity, and the interpretation of the Book of Genesis. The work is structured as a series of prayers to God, reflecting Augustine's journey of redemption and his understanding of God's grace and providence.

LEVIATHAN

Thomas Hobbes

Published in 1651, 'Leviathan' by Thomas Hobbes is a comprehensive treatise on political philosophy. The book is divided into four main parts: 'Of Man,' 'Of Commonwealth,' 'Of a Christian Commonwealth,' and 'Of the Kingdom of Darkness. ' Hobbes argues that the natural state of humans is one of conflict and anarchy, and that the best way to achieve peace and security is through the establishment of a commonwealth governed by an absolute sovereign. This sovereign, which Hobbes terms the 'Leviathan,' has supreme authority over all aspects of governance, including law, religion, and public offices. Hobbes' work is a foundational text in social contract theory and continues to influence political thought to this day.

What Is It Like to Be a Bat?

Thomas Nagel

Thomas Nagel's essay "What Is It Like to Be a Bat?" is a seminal work in philosophy of mind. It explores the subjective nature of consciousness and the challenges of understanding other minds. Nagel argues that even with complete physical knowledge of a bat's brain, we cannot fully grasp its subjective experience. This essay highlights the limitations of reductionist approaches to consciousness. It continues to be a central text in discussions about qualia, subjective experience, and the mind-body problem.

Monadology

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

Fr. Anselm Ramelow critically examines whether artificial intelligence can achieve personhood, arguing that machines lack the essential qualities of being, consciousness, and unity inherent to human nature.

This lecture was given on September 14th, 2024, at Dominican House of Studies.

For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events.

About the Speaker:

Fr. Anselm Ramelow, O.P., a native of Germany, teaches philosophy at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley, California, where he is also currently the chair of the philosophy department. He is also a member of the Core Doctoral Faculty at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley and the Academy of Catholic Theology. He obtained his doctorate under Robert Spaemann in Munich on Leibniz and the Spanish Jesuits (Gott, Freiheit, Weltenwahl, Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1997) and did theological work on George Lindbeck and the question of a Thomist philosophy and theology of language. Areas of research and teaching include Free Will, the History of Philosophy and Philosophical Aesthetics. He has worked on a philosophical approach to Miracles and other topics of the philosophy of religion, and more recently the philosophy of technology.

Keywords: AI and Personhood Debate, Consciousness and Qualia, David Chalmers on Materialism, Human Unity in Consciousness, Immaterial Nature of Humans, Nagel’s What Is It Like to Be a Bat?, Reductionism in AI Ethics, Simulation vs. Reality in AI, Thomas Hobbes’ Materialism

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