- Ilahiyat Studies
- Vol: 14 Issue: 1
- Islamic Classical Theism and the Prospect of Strong Artificial Intelligence
Islamic Classical Theism and the Prospect of Strong Artificial Intelligence
Authors : Enis DOKO
Pages : 85-105
Doi:10.12730/is.1283109
View : 615 | Download : 349
Publication Date : 2023-07-31
Article Type : Research Article
Abstract :This article investigates the compatibility of strong artificial intelligence (AI) with classical theism, particularly within the Islamic tradition. By examining the functionalist view of mental states, we argue that a Muslim who accepts classical theism should be open to the possibility of AI that possesses genuine mental states. We present two arguments to support this claim: one that challenges substance dualism and another that assumes dualism. Both arguments demonstrate that mental states can arise in at least two different substances, which implies functionalism. As a result, the development of strong AI would not be surprising from an Islamic perspective, and its creation might even provide corroborative evidence for classical theism. This article thus provides a philosophical foundation for the existence of conscious and intelligent machines and their potential compatibility with Islamic beliefs.Keywords : Strong AI, classical theism, functionalism, mental states, Islamic perspective, artificial intelligence