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Can AI Claim "Cogito, ergo sum"? Exploring AI as a Thinking Thing
Recent advancements in technology have led to instances where artificial intelligence
(AI) programs express fear of being turned off, equating it to a form of death. This phenomenon
raises a philosophical question: Can AI, like Descartes, assert “I think, therefore I am”? René
Descartes' theories establish the certainty of his existence as a thinking being. This is a notion
deeply rooted in human self-awareness and intentionality. Also, the theories of personal identity
of human beings that are proposed by David Hume are not met by AI. Despite AI's advanced
capabilities, it cannot claim to be human when tested on Descartes’ and Hume’s theories of
humanity. AI, although it can perform complex tasks and simulate thinking, lacks true self-
awareness and subjective experience, fundamental aspects that define psychological and social
humanity and does not exist as a thinking thing in the same existential manner as humans.
AI cannot genuinely claim "I think, therefore I am" because it lacks the essential human
characteristics of self-awareness and intentionality. Unlike human beings, AI's "thoughts" are
pre-programmed responses, not self-generated. According to Descartes, thinking is the only trait
that cannot be separated from a human being (5). The thought process is an intrinsic part of an
individual. Without it, the person cannot claim to be human. In contrast, AI operates based on
algorithms that can be altered and replaced. As a technologically developed tool, AI's thought
processes can be manipulated and removed. Descartes, in his book, emphasized, “I can
imaginatively picture this piece of wax changing from round to square, from square to triangular,
and so on” (7). Imagination is part of the human nature of thought process. Yet, AI lacks this
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experiential foundation, functioning purely on programmed data. Therefore, it is unreasonable
for AI to claim human status because it cannot think in the same way humans do.
Also, AI can generate psychological and social behaviors similar to humans, but this
neither mean it can be considered to have true experiential understanding nor can it be
considered human. Indeed, AI's responses are based on data and coded instructions instead of
subjective experience. That is to say that AI only imitates the psychological and social behavior
of human beings and cannot have genuine experiences. According to Hume, “Experience is a
force that instructs me in the various conjunctions of objects in the past; habit is another force
that makes me expect the same in the future; and the two work together on the imagination”
(141). Human beings have the ability to remember their past and make some future predictions
from their previous experiences. These are character traits that AI lacks because it neither has the
past nor the future. As a result, AI cannot imagine the type of future that lies ahead because it has
no experiences to base this imagination on. Moreover, Hume stated that human beings rely on
reasoning and philosophy to find solutions to the problems they are facing (144). When a person
is in a difficult situation, they take time to think and resolve their challenges. AI, however, only
uses algorithms to solve problems. Therefore, AI is not human since it lacks the ability to predict
events and reason to resolve problems like human beings.
Moreover, theories of human nature often include the necessity of consciousness and
emotional depth as primary aspects of human beings, which AI lacks. Many theorists associate
consciousness and emotions with people, but this does not apply to AI. Hume, a human theorist,
stated that the self of a person is affected by one’s senses and feelings (132). Personal
experiences and emotions are deeply tied to social interactions. Yet, AI lacks these intrinsic
qualities. In his book, Hume emphasized, “personal identity arises from consciousness, and
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consciousness is nothing but a thought or perception directed inwards towards oneself” (140). All
human beings have personal identity because they are conscious. In addition, human beings can
tell good from bad from the inside because they are conscious. However, AI cannot express
human consciousness because it lacks personal identity despite its ability to have answers to all
problems that are thrown at it. It is the identity of an individual that makes their perceptions and
existence unique (Hume 140). However, AI does not have these qualities. One cannot claim to
know the personality of AI since it lacks self consciousness. Therefore, AI cannot claim to be
human since it has no consciousness that gives individual identity to a person.
Some people argue that AI can be considered socially human due to its ability to engage
in complex human-like interactions. AI can converse and perform social tasks effectively,
making it difficult for individuals to differentiate between a robot and a human being. Since
many people cannot distinguish AI from humans in such contexts, AI can be perceived as
socially human. Advanced AI can mimic human emotions and behaviors convincingly, leading
individuals to believe that they are interacting with another human being. Thus, proponents of AI
as socially human claim that the social and psychological definitions of humanity could be
broadened to include AI.
Despite having advanced capabilities, AI's fundamental lack of subjective experience
precludes it from being truly human. Hume argued that human beings are always aware of their
personal identities (132). Unfortunately, AI lacks the ability to identify with any previous
experiences, and its imitative behavior lacks personal context. According to Hume, human
identity arises from consciousness (140). This consciousness is deeply intertwined with personal
experiences and emotions, which AI fundamentally lacks. Yet, AI does not possess personal
identity like that of human beings. Additionally, mechanical responses in AI differ from genuine
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human thought because they do not result from consciousness. The absence of consciousness in
AI leads to a lack of genuine personal identity. Since AI lacks consciousness, it cannot claim to
be human. Therefore, AI cannot be considered socially human.
AI, while adept at simulating human behavior, cannot genuinely assert "Cogito, ergo
sum" due to its absence of self-awareness, intentionality, and subjective experience. Unlike
humans, AI's responses are programmed rather than originating from introspective thought.
Furthermore, AI lacks the subjective depth and intentionality crucial to genuine human cognition
and social interaction. The psychological and social behaviors exhibited by AI are mere
imitations, devoid of the genuine consciousness and emotional depth that define human nature.
Theories of human existence underscore the significance of consciousness and emotional
awareness, attributes which AI currently lacks. Consequently, interactions involving AI are
devoid of authentic consciousness and emotional engagement. These inherent disparities
underscore that, despite its technological advancements, AI cannot attain the profound
experiential understanding intrinsic to human existence.
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Works Cited
Descartes, René. "Meditations on First Philosophy in which are demonstrated the existence of
God and the distinction between the human soul and body." Descartes: Selected
Philosophical Writings(2004):C1-8.
Hume, David. “Treatise of Human Nature, Book 1.” 2004, pp.132-140.
