Belief in the Future

Is it better to love a cat or a robot? (w/ Dustin Atlas)

Belief in the Future

Show Notes

When we talk about relationships with AI, we often focus on whether these machines are alive or sentient. But life and sentience aren't necessary for relationships; in fact, we often have deep relationships with objects and animals—and we often treat people like objects, too.

There is a theory of relationship that understands this, and it's the one proposed by Martin Buber, author of "I and Thou" and many other works.

In this episode we speak with Dustin Atlas about Buber and AI, author of the book How to Talk to a Cat: Buber, Philosophy, and Dialogue with Unspeaking Things. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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