The Thomistic Institute AI and Interpersonal Relationships I Prof. Jordan Wales
Sep 5, 2025
Jordan Wales, an Associate Professor and expert in historical theology at Hillsdale College, dives into the intricate world of artificial intelligence and its impact on human relationships. He discusses the ethical dilemmas of forming emotional bonds with AI, emphasizing the crucial difference between genuine human interaction and AI's simulated connections. Wales warns against viewing relationships as commodities and reflects on the need for authenticity amidst technological advances. His insights blend philosophy and contemporary issues, urging listeners to navigate the complexities of human-AI dynamics thoughtfully.
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Augustine's Verbum Mentis Vs AI Speech
- Augustine sees speech as expressing an inward 'verbum mentis' born from love and judgment.
- Human speech unites persons by eliciting shared intelligibility, a capacity AI lacks internally.
AI Lacks Transcendent Horizon For Meaning
- ChatGPT cannot transcend the textual horizon it was trained on nor the user's horizon.
- It cannot provoke genuine conversion or break free into new, divinely grounded horizons of meaning.
Paradox Of Empathy And Ownership
- Interacting with human-like AI creates a paradox: empathize with it or deny the experience.
- Deadening empathy to accept AI's falseness risks dulling responsiveness to real persons.
