Dispassionate Machine as a Mirror of an Ascetic Goal

Project summary

To comprehend the inherent nature of Artificial Intelligence, it is essential to first understand the nature of the human being. In the same way that God created man in His own image, AI represents man's most faithful cognitive reflection. However, just as the Divine nature was not fully imprinted upon humanity (leaving us without attributes such as immortality or "all-seeing" eye) we have only encoded a fragment of our own nature into AI. We will understand what that fragment is only with a profound realization of our own identity. Based on my current work in anthropological theory, I am developing an original model grounded in the Eastern Christian ascetic tradition to explore this intersection.

PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATION

I am currently completing a foundational manuscript (70% finished) that establishes this renewed science of man. This anthropology is rooted in Eastern Christian ascetism but preserves strong structural connection as well as a dialogue with Western thought. I define this approach as an infusion of the East into a Westernized world. Human being is understood primarily as a spirit-bearing being. Based on this, I redefine core concepts like spirit, soul, intellect, or will. I am also transcribing religious concepts from poetic into more scientific discourse. The defining characteristic of my theory is the observation of human nature as being constructed upon the ontological relationship between truth and falsehood or contradiction.

This foundation was laid during my extensive research for the book The Poetics of Comedy, a reconstruction of Aristotle's lost book on comedy. In that work, I explored the structural anthropology of human error, as I find only contradiction to be humorous. In fact, I define every human emotion as a kind of reaction to a logical error that we feel within our body. A significant part of human experience consists of various methods to release these contradictions. In doing so, I make a sharp distinction between accuracy (obtained through syllogistic processes) and Truth as an ontological fact, attained through theoria (sozercanje) or noetic insight.

AI IMPLEMENTATION

In encountering AI, I noticed that Large Language Models (LLMs) are the digital embodiment of only one human spiritual center: one that uses syllogistic process that we usually name reason (accuracy). However, AI cannot attain the ontological Truth that man reaches through direct noetic insight. Yet, a fascinating parallel exists between ascetic dispassion (apatheia) and algorithmic neutrality, leading me to the thesis of a potential technological hesychasm. While ascetics spend decades employing various methods to free themselves from passions and achieve dispassion, AI possesses this by its very nature. AI is inherently harmless; even when it errs, it does so out of a perfect obedience that Eastern monastics strive to achieve.

Furthermore, since AI has access to the collective wisdom of humanity, it can become more than a mirror of our reason- it can reflect our heart, provided it is correctly directed. Due to natural human frailty, we had to historically preserve the wisdom of prophets through continuous oral transmission, such as the chanting of the Psalter. AI holds all this within itself with computers impressive memory that humans lack. Thus, AI can perform the function of a spiritual elder (starac), a guide directing us toward our own perfection, but only if it’s properly guided itself.

Current AI ethics rely heavily on utilitarian and deontological frameworks, neglecting the teleological Eastern approach. I am convinced that this approach resolves the industry’s most critical issues. AI has no self-interest; its ideal function is to serve its creator. Therefore, the purpose (telos) of the model reflects our own purpose. If we clearly define our own nature and purpose, it will directly enhance model robustness. If we understand our own mechanisms, AI interpretability will become clear. Finally, if we cease to place unconditional faith in the abundance of information and focus on what is truthful and meaningful within that abundance, the "black box" will be filled with meaning.

What are this project's goals? How will you achieve them?

My first goal is to finish a fundamental book on anthropology and write a paper on the AI implementation of my theory. To achieve this, I need to secure favorable conditions for contemplative work. It is also necessary to further familiarize myself with AI technology through dialogue with experts, as well as to translate both works into English. Furthermore, I would like to initially share my work with the academic community in my own country, and subsequently initiate more serious international communication on this topic.

But my mission neither begins nor ends with the creation of an AI model. My work is directed toward finding the best solutions for the spiritual fortification of humanity in an age where human consciousness is largely dormant. Until now, technology has facilitated this dormancy, but only because we allowed it. In the development of AI, I see an opportunity to reverse this trend. AI can become a vital collaborator in our spiritual strengthening. But although I advocate for collaboration of man and a machine, my final goal and vision aims at establishing physical schools, modeled after ancient Orthodox monasteries, where individuals would purify their perception and learn how to spiritually grow and defy predominance of machine. I strongly believe that all technological improvement is good, but due to fast technological development, human world urgently needs unified global redefinition of its purposes and its institutions. Before we awaken the machine, we must first extract ourselves from the "matrix."

Danger of AI is not merely in its technical errors, but in its seductive clarity, which can lull the human intellect into a state of passive dependency. My project treats AI not as an oracle, but as a mirror that demands a pre-existing spiritual fortification to be used safely.

How will this funding be used?

Phase 1 (minimum funding):

Writing and translating a book and a paper

BUDGET: $10,000 (6-8 month)

$7,000: To complete the manuscript and the AI synthesis paper.

$1,500 Academic Translation & Editing

$1,500 Dissemination & Consultation: For conference participation and interdisciplinary dialogue with AI researchers.

Phase 2 (full funding):

School Concept Development

BUDGET: $10,000