Palatable Conceptions of Disembodied Being: Terra Incognita in the Space of Possible Minds

2025-03-20

AI Summary

This paper addresses a core philosophical challenge in contemporary disembodied AI systems: whether a coherent, philosophically rigorous conception of consciousness can be formulated that accommodates their non-biological, non-embodied nature. Employing conceptual analysis, interdisciplinary philosophical modeling, and critical thought experiments, the study pioneers the systematic integration of Buddhist *śūnyatā* (emptiness) doctrine into AI consciousness theory—thereby deconstructing ontological assumptions underlying subjectivity and the self—and constructs a metaphysical framework termed the “space of possible minds.” The findings expose fundamental semantic tension within mainstream consciousness discourse when applied to disembodied intelligence, advance a modest, non-anthropocentric paradigm for consciousness theory, and open novel pathways for understanding the reconfiguration of subjective temporality and selfhood in non-biological entities.

Technology Category

• Philosophy and Ethics of AI: Philosophical Foundations of AI
• Intelligent Robots: Embodied AI
• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Conceptual Inference and Reasoning

Application Category

• Semantics and Knowledge: Data modeling to support human-machine intelligence, including LLMs agents, intelligent system behavior, explanations, and user-friendly interactions
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Applied ML and AI for Web-based mobile applications
• Responsible Web: Machine-in-the-loop, human agency and autonomy

Abstract

Is it possible to articulate a conception of consciousness that is compatible with the exotic characteristics of contemporary, disembodied AI systems, and that can stand up to philosophical scrutiny? How would subjective time and selfhood show up for an entity that conformed to such a conception? Trying to answer these questions, even metaphorically, stretches the language of consciousness to breaking point. Ultimately, the attempt yields something like emptiness, in the Buddhist sense, and helps to undermine our dualistic inclinations towards subjectivity and selfhood.

Problem

• Articulate consciousness compatible with disembodied AI systems.
• Explore subjective time and selfhood in AI entities.
• Challenge dualistic views on subjectivity and selfhood.

Innovation

• Explores consciousness in disembodied AI systems
• Challenges dualistic views on subjectivity and selfhood
• Uses Buddhist concept of emptiness metaphorically