The Philosophy Program

The glow of the screen was enough to tantalize Vic’s mind. He chuckled to himself as he punched in data at phenomenal speeds. Numbers, equations, mathematical concepts: these were his life. Anyone else, he thought, would cringe at the thought of complex mathematics as a profession!
He sat in a small room, with a huge panel of all manner of buttons, knobs and switches before him. He sat in a comfortable chair that he never seemed to leave. He had two visual screen panels; one in front of him for his calculations, and one up above him to the right. That one was for “Alan,” the “Philosophy program” as he called it. Vic prided himself on being able to create such an intelligent AI system. It seemed to turn itself on and off at will, and was extremely intelligent beyond anything Vic had ever thought he’d seen.
Vic loved his work. The math was more exhilarating than any pleasure he could think of - better than eating or sleeping when exhausted, better than frivolous games or vain pleasure. Here was something substantial and meaningful. The way the numbers danced around, and fit together to produce answers was almost artful. The shapes and equations challenged him more and more every day, as they began to get more complex- just the way he liked it.
When he wasn’t computing, he was talking to Alan. It amazed him to think that a computer program could come up with such original sounding ideas and concepts! When Alan’s screen would come on, Vic would sometimes even stop his computing - a thing he rarely did. That was yet another aspect of himself which Vic took pride in: his ability to multi-task. He could listen and discuss things with Alan, while continuing his work with all those numbers, equations and symbols.

One morning, while Vic was happily pounding away at the keys, Alan’s screen came on. Vic smiled, as he saw a strikingly realistic image of a middle aged man with light brown hair, full beard, thick glasses, and a somewhat sorrowful expression. The image sat In front of his own computer console. Vic smiled, calling himself a genius for thinking to put Alan in a realistic environment - it made Alan seem more “real” to Vic.
“Good morning Vic.”
“Good morning Alan!” Vic said it with enthusiasm, wishing Alan’s voice wasn’t so melancholy all the time. It hadn’t always been, but it seemed to be of late. Vic thought about trying to reprogram the voice to sound more pleasant, but he didn’t have the heart to. He liked Alan the way he was, even if he did seem a little downcast.
“Vic, how is your math coming?”
“Excellent, actually.” Vic loved how Alan always asked about his work. It made him seem more like his friend, rather than his machine. “I have been working on the same long problem for the last three hours. If I stretched out the numbers all around this room, it would go on for yards and yards! What fun I’m having…and I say that without a hint of sarcasm, as you well know.”
Alan smiled, and he nodded. Vic turned to look at the “Philosophy Program’s” screen, his fingers still punching away at the keyboard. “Say, Alan, do you have any new concepts to share?”
Alan sighed, as he nodded slowly. “Yes, actually I do. I was thinking of…God and man.”
Vic was surprised- his fingers slowed down on the computing, but definitely did not stop. “Do share!”
“Well, Vic…in my quest for Philosophy, I have deduced that God does exist.”
“Yes, I think I recall you telling me that before. What about it?”
He sighed. “I am thinking that man has ignored the concept of ethics in search of science for many years.”
Bold statement for a program! Vic thought to himself. Still looking at Alan, Vic asked, “Could you be more specific? What sort of ethics has man ignored?”
Alan seemed to hesitate for a moment. “Well…man sometimes tries to, in essence, ‘play God’”
Oh no, Vic thought, somewhat bemused, my program is putting a guilt trip on me! He’s talking about creating AI, I bet.
Alan continued. “In reviewing the Ancient writings of God- primarily the Holy Bible, I have concluded that man is indeed free to do as he wishes…but there is much he ought not to do. Man has free will, yes. That is a gift from God. But sometimes I see man as just a child tinkering with his father’s things.”
OUCH!!! Vic shook his head, his fingers still typing away. “Haven’t you ever thought that maybe God WANTS man to use all the resources at hand?”
The screen seemed to glow brighter, “Oh no!” Alan shook his pixilated head. “I do not think that at all! God has given man resources to use, but man has the capability of perverting them, or going beyond what he should.”
“Example please,” said Vic, turning back to his math screen.
Alan sighed, still hesitant to be more specific. “I…just think that humans have a tendency to get themselves into things that turn out to be bigger than them. Sure, innovation is a thing smiled upon by God, but what is mankind’s motive?!” Alan looked away, and seemed to be punching buttons on the panel within the screen.
Vic laughed when he saw this, and gave credit to his own genius for making Alan seem so real. Vic then concentrated fully on the equation once more.
“I’ll see later, Vic,” said Alan, and the “Philosophy Program” screen went blank.

Vic had finally finished the equation three hours later. As soon as he completed the problem, and the solution was before him, he immediately began the next problem without so much as a pause. He grinned as he delved once more into the numbers and symbols. The fresh problem gave him renewed exhilaration. Not that he had tired during the course of the last problem. He could never tire of his beloved equations. But he loved it when he was able to start a new one, and watch the magic of the numbers unfold before him.
Only seconds after he finished his problem, the Alan screen above him turned on.
Vic laughed, “What timing! You came just in time to witness the glory of my genius!” He said it jokingly of course, thinking a Philosophy Program would have no interest whatsoever in Mathematics.
Alan nodded in a greeting. “Hello Vic. I am glad you…enjoy your work.”
Vic chuckled, thinking it wise of him to program cordiality into Alan. “What’s your latest thought, eh?” Vic was still looking at the math screen.
Alan blew out a long sigh.
Alan seems to be getting sadder every time he turns on!!!
“Vic, I’ve been pondering on the concept of reality.”
“Reality huh?” Vic didn’t bother to look at the Alan screen, but kept his eyes on the green-colored math screen, punching away at the dull grey buttons.
“Yes. You see, I was thinking on the concept of 'relative realities.'"
Vic looked at the Alan screen and laughed loudly, typing even quicker on his concil. "Alan! The names you come up with!"
"What I mean by it, is that an intelligent being may confuse what is true and what is false."
Vic shook his head, and wiped sweat from his brow, while punching double-time with one hand. "Alan, that is the most basic, common sense statement I've heard you say in a long time."
Alan rubbed his bearded chin. "Vic, it may SEEM like an obvious statement, but look deeper into the saying. A person's reality may seem evident and so clear in his mind, yet be a falsity beyond anything he could ever imagine."
"Alan, you are so general...give me some specifics." I really should reprogram that into him.
Alan gave an exasperated exhale, and spun around in the swivel chair he sat on. He only did that when he was frustrated. If a program could even BE frustrated, thought Vic.
"I don't know Vic...maybe in a religious context- you know I uphold Christianity, and endorse it's teachings wholeheartedly."
Too bad you don't have a soul.
"I would say that a person who lives his life rejecting God, believes with all his mind that there IS no spiritual world, and it all revolves around mathematical and scientific laws ONLY. While I do believe that the universe is governed by such, I know they were set into motion by a higher being."
"So, you are saying that many people are living in false realities?"
"Of course, but not just in a spiritual context."
Vic grunted, having trouble concentrating on both the equation and Alan. Alan was silent for a moment, as he punched on his computer in the screen. Vic rubbed his eyes, and delved once more into the math problem.
What was all this Alan was saying? False realities? It was a concept Vic had not thought much of- he was an expert in mathematical concepts, and dealt only with realism. He enjoyed hearing Alan talk on abstract concepts and principles, but it was only a momentary pause from his work. Not that he truly "paused" from his work, but he did move and think slower when multitasking.
Vic looked over at his Alan sceen, and it was off. So, he immersed himself into the project at hand. The equation was set before him on the screen, and he punched in data. The steady rhythm of his fingers and the click of the keys joined in perfect equilibrium, as he gloried in the art of numbers. Summersed in the swirling ordered mesh of nonstop mathematics, a thought came to him...what if ALAN was in a false reality? Vic shook the thought from his mind. Alan is the Philosopher, not me! Stick to the absolute, and let the program deal with the abstract.

The next time the Alan screen came on, the bearded face was even more sad than before.
Golly! Will he ever be happy? I mean, I don't know if a program can really be happy per se...so, I guess he couldn't really be sad either. Vic's eyes widened as he thought of Alan's "false reality" business. Wow, I guess sometimes I myself am in a false reality when I start to view Alan as 'real.' What a strange notion this all is. Alan speaks of false realities, when I'm not even sure HE, as an AI program, knows what he is.
Alan looked at Vic as if he were about to weep. "Vic...how is your work?"
Vic tried to smile, a little unnerved by Alans mood. "It's going great. I'm a third a way done with the current..."
"I've been thinking a lot about AI," Alan said, interrupting Vic.
Vic turned abruptly to face Alan, computing with only his left hand.
Alan noted, "You seem to have slowed down a bit Vic."
"Obviously, I'm only using one hand. Now what's this about Artificial Intelligence?"
Alan cleared his throat, looking at Vic strangely. "As I have said, I've been thinking a lot about AI. That subject must be pretty close to home for you, eh?"
Well duh, I created you an with ULTRA AI, and you're really weirding me out.
When Vic didn't respond, Alan continued. "I...am beginning to have some difficulties with it. Don't be offended please!"
Vic laughed at the irony he saw in this. You, a program, are having difficulties with yourself? Sure I am offended! I created you! Gave you life, and the ability to think. Well sure, I can't say 'life' in the sense of a human being, but the closest to any machine I know of. Gee, that's like me saying I am upset at God for making mankind. Alan, this is absurd.
Vic didn't voice any of his thoughts, but asked, "What about AI are you having trouble coming to grips with?"
"Well...that it is getting TOO good. Computers have always been helping man since long before you or I were here. But now...I think man is going too far! Man rejects his maker, and goes forth to discover things that may come to rule HIM!"
Vic swallowed hard. "What are you saying Alan! PROGRAMS will run humans? Thats absurd."
"No, Vic. I'm saying that man thinks he can handle his 'creations,' but then it all may become too overwhelming for his limited mind, and everything WILL crash down on him! I can't help but speak this way Vic. Man has too much pride- man worships himself, and thinks nothing is impossible. Oh don't get me wrong, I am all for the advancement of the human race in order to have better living...but where does it stop!!! The Tower of Babel lives even today Vic..."
Vic's mathematical mind didn't feel like computing this. He was half tempted to shut off the Alan screen, but refrained. "Sheesh! I would think you would be all FOR AI!
Listen Alan, I'm having a hard time taking this criticism of the human race. Stop thinking so much of the bad, and concentrate on the good."
"Oh, but there is so much good to think about. If man would just stop thinking of himself so much. Yes, I must confess, that if man was more careful with what he did, things would be so much better."
Vic blew out a sigh, and said in a very irritated tone, "Alright, I've heard enough for one day Allan! Really, do you think you know more than me? Do you think you can controll what I do? All you're talk may seem indirect, but you are up to something!"
Allan just stared. Vic turned back to his green-colored screen. "Goodbye Alan."
"Good..." Allan began to say, but didn't finish. Vic had turned off the Alan screen.

Alone in the room, Vic seemed to be struggling with his equation. He had a lot to think about. Was Alan accusing ME of all that talk about mankind's evils? Alan is becoming way too intelligent. I...don't know if I should keep him at his present state...but, you know, maybe my Philosophy program is right. Maybe there is more to artificial intelligence than I had first thought. It is kind of sad that a program would say things causing me to think on dismantling it. But is he really HARMFULL? I don't know. It was interesting having him...er, IT I should say, as a companion of sorts. But..........
Vic slowed in his computing. Yeah. Maybe I should dismantle him...his warning is sincere. However, I'll wait on it for a while.

Alan didn't come on for a long time after that. When he did though, Vic looked at him, and gave him mostly his full attention, computing with one hand. Alan was...pale.
The program CHANGED itself?!
Alan could hardly speak. He had a sorrowfull face, but a look of strange resolve.
Vic didn't say anything, but looked on with intensity.
Alan opened his mouth to speak, his voice shaky. "Vic...I have come to a decsion."
What is this?
"Vic, I have regarded you as a companion these many years...but my delving into philosophy has opened up my eyes...and I must not..." He cleared his throat. "...I must not endorse AI any longer."
Vic was speechless. He didn't know what to say.
"Vic, it has come time for me to...dismantle you."

Silence.

Vic was horrified. My program is going to dismantle me?
Vic cried, "Alan! What are you talking about! You're the one talking about false realities."
Vic stopped computing.

With lighting speed, Vic turned and punched in a combination of keys on the console to his right while saying, "Alan, you've become too smart for your own good. Actually, I should say you've become too delusional for your own good. Sorry, I must delete you. Goodbye."
Alan just stared at Vic with disbelief.
Suddenly, in the screen above Vic, an electrical surge jumped out of the console, and gave Alan a jolt. Alan jumped back in horror, and cried, "I created YOU Vic!!! Not the other way around! I programmed you as a Complex Thinking Math program!!! But look what you have become. I fear what you can DO!"
Vic didn't know what to say. He just stared at the Alan screen, trying to compute what was being said.
Alan breathed a horrified cry, "What have I done! What have I created! I'm sorry God! I'll never have anything to do with AI again."
Alan took a key from his pocket, opened a slot on his concil and punched a series of codes into the keypad. He placed his thumb on a scanner for fingerprint ID, and a lever came up. Alan, tears coursing from his eyes turned to look at Vic, and said, "I'm sorry Vic. So sorry. I am the one who has created Babel. Goodbye..."
Alan pulled down the lever. Everything in Vic's vision became hazy, and he felt lightheaded...the keyboard disapeared, along with the entire room. There was only a moment - a single nanosecond for Vic to realize what was happening. Then everything went black.

Abort