Philosophy professor, Jacob Howland, discusses idolatry in the context of artificial intelligence. He draws from Greek classics and Jewish scripture, exploring topics such as simulated realities, the fall of mankind, Satan's rebellion, and the consequences of relying too heavily on AI. The podcast also touches on the creation of male and female in Genesis and the loss of connection in a world driven by technology.
Idolatry involves creating insubstantial and distorted images of the divine, separate from the true God, arising from a rejection of the natural world and a belief in constructing a better artificial world.
The rapid acceleration of technology, including AI, is seen as destabilizing due to social changes and potential negative impacts on leisure, reflection, and cultural education.
AI's self-enclosed nature and lack of relational qualities limit its understanding of reality and human experiences, highlighting the importance of genuine human relationships and the potential dangers of relying solely on self-created virtual realities.
Deep dives
Idolatry and the Golden Calf
The podcast episode discusses the concept of idolatry, focusing on the story of the Israelites creating a golden calf as a representation of their own God. The speaker highlights how idolatry involves creating insubstantial and distorted images of the divine, separate from the true God. The episode explores the unintentional and intentional aspects of idolatry, relating it to human limitations, forgetfulness, and the desire for control. The discussion suggests that idolatry arises from a rejection of the natural created world and a belief that humans can construct a better artificial world. The potential destabilizing impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on society is briefly mentioned, comparing it to the acceleration of technology observed since the 1800s.
Adams' Law and the Implications of AI
The historian Henry Adams and his concept of Adams' Law are referenced in this podcast episode. Adams observed the rapid acceleration of technology since the 1800s, with the amount of available force doubling every decade. This acceleration, including developments like AI, is seen as profoundly destabilizing due to the social changes it brings. The speaker expresses skepticism regarding the optimistic view that AI will lead to a utopia, instead suggesting that people may be more inclined towards drugs and sex robots in their leisure time. The importance of leisure, reflection, and cultural education is emphasized, as the potential displacement of jobs and the lack of structure in people's lives due to AI may hinder the ability to engage in meaningful leisure activities.
AI as a Self-Enclosed System and the Limitations of Human-AI Interaction
The podcast episode delves into the nature of AI, highlighting its self-enclosed and non-relational qualities. The speaker explains that AI, such as chat GPT, interacts with digital data and regurgitates information without directly relating to reality or understanding the meaning behind the information. The limitations of AI are illustrated through examples of AI being fooled by images and lacking comprehension of concepts like jokes, sex, or relationships. The self-enclosed nature of AI is contrasted with the importance of genuine human relationships and the ability to open oneself up to others. Moreover, concerns are raised about AI polluting sources of information and potentially diminishing the quality of papers and educational content.
The Dangers of Idolatry and the Human Urge for Control
This podcast episode explores the concept of idolatry and its connection to the human desire for control and domination. It discusses various examples from religious texts, such as Satan's rebellion and the Tower of Babel, to illustrate the dangers of putting oneself in God's place and seeking personal glory. The episode also delves into the role of technology and artificial intelligence in modern society, highlighting the potential for isolation and detachment from reality. It emphasizes the importance of human connection and engagement with the natural world, rather than relying solely on self-created virtual realities. The episode concludes with a discussion on the longing for meaning and the limitations of personal pleasure when divorced from a higher purpose.
The Importance of Gratitude and Human Connection
This podcast episode addresses the need for gratitude and human connection in our troubled world. It touches upon the concept of reality and the shift from a focus on the natural world to a more abstract and self-centric perspective. The episode highlights the significance of genuine human contact and relationships, as well as the dangers of isolating oneself in electronically mediated spaces. It shares insights from a high school seminar where students thrived and found profound joy in engaging with classical literature and discussing ideas with like-minded peers. The episode concludes with a reminder of the importance of gratitude through a Jewish prayer of thanksgiving and a blessing for listeners and their families.
Philosophy professor Jacob Howland applies the lessons of Greek classics and Jewish scripture to this our curious moment at the inception of Artificial intelligence when computers are doing more and more work for us, and we humans—like miniature Gods—can make up new simulated realities and even identities for ourselves. There’s a word for when people worship the things they create: idolatry. Looking to the Bible (from the Garden of Eden, the Fall, Cain and Abel, the Tower of Babel, and the Golden Calf) and literature (from Homer, Plato, and Hesiod, all the way to Milton), Professor Howland and I talk about where we are, and where we might be headed.
