Responsible Human Agency in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: A Reflection from Christian Anthropology and the Ethics of Responsibility

This dissertation examines the ethical and anthropological implications of artificial intelligence in today’s technological age. It argues that AI represents a qualitative transformation of human action by replicating cognitive functions such as reasoning, prediction, and decision-making, thereby reshaping social, economic, and political structures.A central concern is the erosion of human agency and responsibility within algorithmic systems, where the delegation of decision-making authority weakens accountability and diminishes moral responsibility. Drawing on the philosophy of Hans Jonas, particularly his ethics of responsibility, the study highlights the long-term and potentially irreversible consequences of technological power.The dissertation also engages with contemporary critical perspectives, including those of Mustafa Suleyman, to demonstrate that AI systems embody values and power structures rather than functioning as neutral tools.In dialogue with Christian anthropology and the teachings of Pope Francis, the dissertation proposes an ethical framework grounded in human dignity, conscience, responsibility, and the common good.

Research Objectives

• Analyse how AI transforms human action, moral agency, and responsibility.
• Identify key ethical risks, including threats to dignity, freedom and responsibility.
• Examine Christian anthropology and Jonas’ ethics as normative frameworks for AI.
• Propose ethical principles for the responsible and human catered use of AI.

Research Questions

• How does Artificial Intelligence transform the conditions of human moral agency and responsibility in this modern technological era?
• How the Christian Anthropological vision safeguards the human dignity as a moral agency from AI?
• In what way Hans Jonas´ ethics of responsibility offer a suitable framework for evaluating AI´s risk at present and in future?
• How can Christian Anthropology and Jonas´ ethics of responsibility be brought together for the foundation for AI ethics?
• What ethical guidelines emerge from dialogue for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in this modern world?

Research methods

• At first, I need to take up the analytical method to understand and to evaluate the problems and risks created by Artificial Intelligence in contemporary world, with particular attention to challenges to human agency, moral responsibility and accountability. In this phase, involves evaluating current AI developments and engaging with contemporary literature on AI ethics, especially works such as Mustafa Suleyman`s The Coming of the Wave and other relevant ethical studies.
• Second, the study undertakes a systematic evaluation of Christian anthropology through official church teachings focusing primarily on Gaudium et Spes, Laudato Si` and recent Vatican documents on artificial intelligence, in order to clarify the Christian understanding of human dignity, freedom, conscience and responsibility.
• Third, the study analyses Hans Jonas´ ethics of responsibility by examining his major works, especially the Imperative of Responsibility and Phenomenon of Life, with giving importance on technological power, responsibility toward future generations and the principle of precaution.
• Fourth, a dialogical analysis is conducted to bring Christian anthropology and Hans Joans` ethics into conversation, identifying points of convergence and complementarity.
• Finally, based on this integrated analysis, this research develops an ethical framework for responsible human agency and the ethical use of AI in the present technological era.

Literature

• Benedict XVI. Caritas in Veritate: Encyclical Letter on Integral Human Development in Charity and Truth. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2009.
• Francis. Laudato Si’: Encyclical Letter on Care for Our Common Home. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2015.
• Jonas, Hans. The Imperative of Responsibility: In Search of an Ethics for the Technological Age. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1984.
• Jonas, Hans. The Phenomenon of Life: Toward a Philosophical Biology. New York: Harper & Row, 1966.
• Second Vatican Council. Gaudium et Spes: Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World. Vatican City, 1965.
• Suleyman, Mustafa. The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the Twenty-First Century. London: Bodley Head, 2023.

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