Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence: The Problem of Epistemic and Ethical Value

2025-10-23

Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence: The Problem of Epistemic and Ethical Value”
Bayt al-Hikma – Department of Philosophical Studies, in cooperation with the College of Arts at Al-Mustansiriya University, organized on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, a scientific symposium entitled “Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence: The Problem of Epistemic and Ethical Value.”
The event was attended by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Bayt al-Hikma, Dr. Qahtan Neama Hassan Al-Khafaji, along with a distinguished group of philosophy scholars and academics from various institutions.
The session was chaired by Asst. Prof. Dr. Mohammed Hussein Al-Najm, Head of the Department of Philosophical Studies at Bayt al-Hikma, while the rapporteur was Researcher Shahad Raheem Mohammed from the Department of Philosophy – College of Arts, Al-Mustansiriya University.
The symposium addressed the vital role of philosophy in engaging with artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing its critical and ethical framework that helps prevent AI from turning into a tool devoid of awareness. While the epistemic value of AI remains procedural, its moral value depends largely on its designers and users.
Several research papers were presented during the event.
Among them was a paper by Prof. Dr. Raheem Mohammed Salem Al-Saedi from the Department of Philosophy – College of Arts, Al-Mustansiriya University, titled “Artificial Intelligence: From the Challenges of Human Existence to the Concept of Posthumanism.”
He discussed how AI presents genuine existential challenges, such as threatening certain professions, reshaping creativity and knowledge, and raising fears of losing control over intelligent systems in the future. However, he argued that AI also offers opportunities to expand human potential and foster evolution toward a new stage known as posthumanism, where human and machine intelligence merge to form a new kind of existence.
Another paper was delivered by Dr. Sarah Khazaal Mohammed, from the same department, titled “Philosophy Between Instrumental and Artificial Intelligence Methodologies.”
Her presentation explored the modern philosophical struggle between two modes of reasoning — the “machine of human thought” and the “machine of artificial thought.” She raised questions about whether philosophy can rely on AI as a substitute for logic, and whether AI is capable of performing complex logical reasoning.
The final paper was presented by Researcher Hussam Khalil Khudair, Director of the Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Division at Bayt al-Hikma, under the title “Artificial Intelligence Between Technical Efficiency and Ethical Responsibility – A Philosophical and Engineering Approach.”
He addressed the contemporary dilemma of balancing the rapid advancement of AI technologies with adherence to ethical standards. His paper proposed a philosophical-engineering approach to integrate precise technical reasoning with critical philosophical thought, aiming to design intelligent systems that are efficient, fair, transparent, and aligned with human values.
In his remarks, Dr. Qahtan Neama Al-Khafaji, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Bayt al-Hikma, emphasized the institution’s dedication to all aspects of human life, stating that man is God’s vicegerent on earth. He reaffirmed Bayt al-Hikma’s openness to supporting interdisciplinary research and studies, with the aim of channeling their outcomes to decision-making centers through its specialized departments that monitor and address developments in Iraqi society.
The symposium concluded with vibrant discussions and insightful interventions from numerous philosophers, researchers, and academics who enriched the session with their valuable