Date of Publication

2021

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy

Subject Categories

Philosophy

College

College of Liberal Arts

Department/Unit

Philosophy

Thesis Advisor

Robert James M. Boyles

Defense Panel Chair

Napoleon M. Mabaquiao, Jr.

Defense Panel Member

Ferdinand D. Dagmang
Mark Anthony L. Dacela
Johann Vladimir J. Espiritu
Antonette Talaue-Arogo

Abstract/Summary

The present work attempts to understand the concept of alterity or otherness in human-level artificial intelligence—on whether or not these machines could be considered as an “other” in moral situations. David Gunkel’s The Machine Question (2012) investigated the concept of machine otherness using Levinas’ alterity, but this is contentious due to its anthropocentric bent. Thus, this study attempts to utilize Derrida’s alterity given its default openness to any sort of “other,” human or non-human. The work is cognizant that the notion of machine otherness will not be fairly assessed without first considering Derrida’s critiques and insights into the socio-cultural, political, and economic motivations underlying the design and deployment of technology; deeper investigations into these motivations could lead to richer perspectives regarding machine alterity. Apart from these motivations, select Derridean concepts, specifically his notions of the metaphysics of presence, iterability, and responsibility, will be used to elaborate on the issue of machine otherness. In the end, a Derridean view of machine alterity is offered, in the spirit of supplementarity, as a provisional way to bridge general moral rules to singular moral necessities.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Physical Description

ix, 259 leaves

Keywords

Derrida, Jacques; Gunkel, David J.; Deconstruction; Machinery; Other (Philosophy); Ethics

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Embargo Period

5-25-2021

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