MORE HUMAN THAN HUMAN

A Philosophical Exploration of Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

In this essay, I explore the philosophical implications of Artificial Intelligence through an examination of Rene Descartes. Taking influence from Ridley Scott's classic science-fiction film Blade Runner, I ask if it is possible for a machine to become "more human than human". I provide an overview of Descarte's Axiom of Existence, mind-body dualism, functionalism, and mechanical philosophy as a basis for my argument regarding the potential 'person-hood' of androids. While Descartes himself argues against such a phenomenon, modern scientific advancements beg the following questions. What does it mean to possess the level of consciousness allowing one to be labelled as a ‘person’, and why do Artificially Intelligent androids fall short of this? Should "Rights for Robots" exist to protect androids from their human creators? Ultimately, the advancement of Artificial Intelligence forces us to question what it means to be human, and if it is possible to be "more human than human"?