Orthodox Insights on AI from Dostoevsky
This year saw an unexpected turn of events: prominent figures in AI began to seek advice from an Orthodox Christian thinker. A book club in Silicon Valley took on Fyodor Dostoevsky’s complex novel “Demons.” Following this, an anonymous author released an extensive essay that explored the book’s forewarnings about the dangers of misguided fanaticism. In a way, this writer viewed Dostoevsky as a cautionary voice for those developing artificial intelligence.
It felt to me like a huge conversation had started.
“Technique and intelligence, severed from the disciplined heart, become hollow and ultimately self-destructive,” a poignant thought emerged from this discourse.
Orthodox Christianity stands in stark contrast to the ambition-driven posthumanism that’s emerging within tech’s spiritual sector. Posthumanism envisions a world where disembodied intellect reigns supreme, while Orthodoxy emphasizes the need to cultivate our embodied minds to purify our hearts, allowing the Holy Spirit of the Creator to inhabit them.
The unnamed author reflected on the Biblical tale of the Gadarene swine. In this narrative, Jesus exorcizes demons from a man, allowing them to possess a herd of pigs that then rush to their demise. Instead of celebrating the man’s release, the locals ask Jesus to depart, as if the miracle never occurred. The essay asserts that these “demons” are not outside threats but rather the darker sides of ourselves that must take full possession before we can find healing.
Not exactly an ideal beginning. There’s a strong tendency for those unfamiliar with the gradual Christian practices of inviting Christ into their lives to misunderstand even the clearest morals. But, interestingly, self-mastery has become a buzzword among tech leaders who watch as unconventional methods attract more employees and founders. Anyone seriously pursuing self-mastery might ultimately encounter the principles of Christian asceticism. I reflected on this in my analysis titled “The Dostoevskian Moment.”
Last weekend brought another development: Patrick Collison, CEO of Stripe, shared a lengthy meditation on another Dostoevsky work, “The Brothers Karamazov.” He admitted he wasn’t particularly fond of the book, yet he pondered how discussions of a nation’s spirit should connect to its significant literary and artistic creations. His musings highlighted the limited understanding that can arise from intellectual examination set apart from heartfelt experiences.
In response, tech founder José Maria Macedo presented a thoughtful view. He noted Father Zosima’s lesson that imagined love can lead to grand illusions, while true love is often “harsh and dreadful,” demanding effort and patience. Macedo sees this genuine love exemplified in Alyosha, whose goodness endures despite life’s trials, cruelty, and suffering.
Collison’s interpretation, as Macedo pointed out, felt reminiscent of Ivan Karamazov’s inclination to evaluate life from an intellectual standpoint. In contrast, Alyosha represents a different path: a journey that can’t solely be measured through rational thought. Macedo expresses his struggle to comprehend why God permits evil, particularly the suffering of innocents. Still, Dostoevsky inspires him to aspire to embody the character who responds to hardship with love. This, he states, is why “The Brothers Karamazov” is his cherished novel.
Macedo has tapped into something essential that his tech contemporaries sorely require. Technique and intelligence, when detached from a sincere heart, result in emptiness and, ultimately, self-destruction. Like the ouroboros, they consume life rather than humbly draw from its infinite source.
As technology becomes increasingly focused on the urgent task of “aligning” AIs with simplistic human ideals, Dostoevsky’s message urging us to first align our personal intentions with the divine is resonating louder than ever.
