In Our Image is the first extensive theological engagement with the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Herzfeld probes this new field, which seeks to model human intelligence in computers, for its theological depth. She argues that "At the root of the fascination our current culture has with creating an image of ourselves in an intelligent computer lies a continuing problematic of defining ... what it means to be truly human." She shows how AI continues the classic Christian quest for defining the image of God in humans. Offering a smart, accessible history and typology of research in AI, Herzfeld shows how its rival schools parallel competing options in the theological anthropologies of Niebuhr, von Rad, and Barth. She probes our interest in AI and argues that a relational anthropology informs the best research and the many depictions of AI in science fiction and film. Herzfeld's exciting work further develops this relational model, in which she finds a needed corrective to the individualistic and narcissistic tendencies of much recent spirituality and the seeds of a human/computer ethic.
Noreen L. Herzfeld is Associate Professor of Computer Science at St. John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota. She holds a doctorate in theology, and advanced degrees in mathematics and computer science.
Preface In Our Image: The Desire for Artificial Intelligence In Our Image: A Culture's Hopes and Fears A Spiritual Question: "What Is Human Being?" Why a Spiritual Approach to AI? Reason, Regency, or Relationship: Three Approaches to the Image of God Scriptural Background The Image of God as Reason: The Substantive Approach of Reinhold Hiebuhr The Image of God as Regency: The Functional Interpretation of Gerhard von Rad The Image of a Triune God: The Relational Interpretation of Karl Barth One Symbol, Multiple Interpretations Copy, Tool, or Friend: Three Approaches to Artificial Intelligence Imago Hominis as Reason: Intelligence as a Quality in Symbolic AI Imago Hominis as Regency: Intelligence as Function in Weak AI Imago Hominis as Relationship: The Turing Test and Emergent Systems Parallel Images HAL or R2-D2? Two Images of Artificial Intelligence in Science Fiction Film Hal and Colossus: The Computer as Disembodied Reason Robby, R2-D2, and David: The Robot as Companion or Magical Helper Relationality in Science Fiction: More than the Turing Test Why Create an Artifical Intelligence? A Christian Critique Cybernetic Immortality: A Substantive Concern Expanded Dominion: A Functional Concern Alone in the Cosmos: A Relational Concern The Depth of Our Dreams Toward a Human-Computer Ethic Human-Human Relationship Human-Nonhuman Relationship Human-Computer Relationship A Question for the Future Notes Bibliography Index
