Defending the Personhood of Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

In this thesis I discuss issues involving artificial intelligence and personhood. "Personhood" is a term we often attribute to human beings. My goal in this thesis is to define personhood, show how personhood can be present in varying degrees, and finally show why artificial intelligence may be candidates for personhood in the future. More specifically, in this thesis I will discuss five concepts of personhood. These are the metaphysical concept of personhood, the moral concept of personhood, the moral agent concept of personhood, the legal concept of personhood, and the religious concept of personhood. After discussing these concepts, a feasible definition will be given for what it means to be a person. Following this, the practical and philosophical problems that currently prevent artificial intelligence from being considered persons will be discussed along with some proposed solutions to these problems. Once these problems are dealt with we may have serious candidates for personhood. If artificial intelligence qualifies as having personhood then we will have some ethical issues to address. This thesis will discuss these ethical issues in the final chapter by giving reasons for treating artificial intelligence ethically if they should qualify as persons. This point will be defended from a Kantian standpoint using his categorical imperative requiring respect for persons.

Notes

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Thesis Completion

2004

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Cash, Mason

Degree

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Degree Program

Philosophy

Subjects

Arts and Sciences -- Dissertations, Academic; Dissertations, Academic -- Arts and Sciences

Format

Print

Identifier

DP0021852

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Document Type

Honors in the Major Thesis

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