INTERROGATING THE ONTOLOGICAL, ETHICAL AND EPISTEMOLOGICAL ISSUES IN THE AGE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Abstract

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) heralds a technological revolution, presenting both immense opportunities and profound philosophical challenges. This paper critically analyses the multifaceted ontological, ethical, and epistemological issues emerging from the AI era, adopting an interdisciplinary approach to illuminate the conceptual and practical implications of AI development. Ontologically, the paper interrogates the metaphysical status of AI systems: Are they truly conscious entities or merely sophisticated simulations of human cognition? What criteria should differentiate artificial from human intelligence, and how do we navigate the blurring boundaries between them? Drawing on theories of mind and consciousness, this investigation elucidates the philosophical puzzles around machine intelligence. Ethically, the paper explores the ramifications of autonomous AI agents: How do we ascribe moral responsibility and accountability as machines gain greater autonomy? What are the implications for core philosophical concepts such as free will, personhood, and human life’s sanctity? Through applied ethics and political philosophy debates, the paper unpacks the normative difficulties of integrating AI into society. Epistemologically, it examines limitations and biases in AI-driven knowledge production: Can AI systems truly "understand" the world like humans, or are their insights constrained by their training data and algorithms? What are the implications for the democratization of knowledge as AI-powered information curation grows? Engaging with theories in social epistemology and the philosophy of science, the paper critically evaluates AI-generated knowledge claims' epistemic status. By addressing these philosophical challenges, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of AI's conceptual and practical ramifications, catalysing further reflection on AI's profound transformations and guiding us toward a nuanced understanding of the issues defining the coming decades.