Today I didn't write my lecture myself. It is the columnist Ilyaz Nasrullah, who struck me with his story, which I love to share with you. This was in my morning newspaper today.
-QUOTE- Genocidal regimes must eliminate the empathy of their executioners. If they don't, nothing will come of their evil 'policy'.
The 20th-century philosopher Hannah Arendt spoke about the banality of evil. She analyzed how the Nazis managed to bureaucratize the Holocaust in such a way
that Nazi officials could tell themselves that they were not responsible for the genocide in which they participated.
In the 21st century, Israel is using a modern solution to trivialize their misdeeds: artificial intelligence (AI).
This technology is not only the engine behind the killing machine that Israel unleashes on the Palestinians in Gaza but also the instrument that Israeli soldiers use to ignore their conscience.
Early this month, the Israeli publication " revealed the existence of Lavender, an AI system that targets people for an Israeli army airstrike.
Lavender at one point placed 37,000 Palestinians on its murder list, based on alleged involvement with Hamas.
In conversation with " the Israeli executioners show how far they and their regime have fallen beyond the moral threshold.
For example, a safety officer blames the system and says: "The machine did it in cold blood. And that made it easier."
Another noted: "At this stage, I was investing 20 seconds on each target, and doing dozens every day. I added zero value as a human other than stamping it for approval. It saved a lot of time."
Yet another: "If an attack is thwarted, you don't care - you immediately move on to the next target. Because of the system, there is no end to the targets. You still have 36,000 waiting."
Defenders of this murder factory will argue that the targets were involved with Hamas and should therefore be allowed to die.
According to "+972 Magazine", in the two weeks following Hamas's criminal attack, a manual check of the assassination list that Lavender produced took place.
This showed that Lavender has an accuracy of 90 percent, which led to approval for the large-scale use of this system.
Even if we take that 90 percent figure as true - you have to take that with a grain of salt - then one in ten people on the murder list is innocent. If you, as an executioner, kill dozens of targets per day, you kill a number of innocent people every day.
Systems like Lavender calculate a statistical similarity between your characteristics and those of people who, according to a database, are involved with Hamas.
This is an insane basis for passing death sentences. In the eyes of Israel, every Palestinian is a potential terrorist. In Lavender's eyes too.-END QUOTE -
This is how you can ignore your moral standards and blame them on AI machines. How deep can we fall...?
Thank you for your attention again...
Main Sources:
MacMillan The Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2nd edition
TABLE OF CONTENT -----------------------------------------------------------------
1 - 100 Philosophers 9 May 2009 Start of
2 - 25+ Women Philosophers 10 May 2009 this blog
3 - 25 Adventures in Thinking 10 May 2009
4 - Modern Theories of Ethics 29 Oct 2009
5 - The Ideal State 24 Febr 2010 / 234
6 - The Mystery of the Brain 3 Sept 2010 / 266
7 - The Utopia of the Free Market 16 Febr 2012 / 383
8. - The Aftermath of Neo-liberalism 5 Sept 2012 / 413
9. - The Art Not to Be an Egoist 6 Nov 2012 / 426
10 - Non-Western Philosophy 29 May 2013 / 477
11 - Why Science is Right 2 Sept 2014 / 534
12 - A Philosopher looks at Atheism 1 Jan 2015 / 557
13 - EVIL, a philosophical investigation 17 Apr 2015 / 580
14 - Existentialism and Free Will 2 Sept 2015 / 586
15 - Spinoza 2 Sept 2016 / 615
16 - The Meaning of Life 13 Febr 2017 / 637
17 - In Search of my Self 6 Sept 2017 / 670
18 - The 20th Century Revisited 3 Apr 2018 / 706
19 - The Pessimist 11 Jan 2020 / 819
20 - The Optimist 9 Febr 2020 / 824
21 - Awakening from a Neoliberal Dream 8 Oct 2020 / 872
22 - A World Full of Patterns 1 Apr 2021 / 912
23 - The Concept of Freedom 8 Jan 2022 / 965
24 - Materialism 7 Sept 2022 / 1011
25 - Historical Materialism 5 Oct 2023 / 1088
26 - The Bonobo and the Atheist 9 Jan 2024 / 1102
27 - Artificial Intelligence 9 Feb 2024 / 1108
The Discussion
[13:23] Max Chatnoir: That is a hair-raising story, Herman!
[13:23] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): omg, if that is true then ..
[13:23] Max Chatnoir: We know that AI is not reliable for assigning guilt!
[13:24] herman Bergson: It is a true story
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): wel they try to wipe out the entire paesitnian people, just like Hitler tried to eradicate them during WW2
[13:24] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): there are more stories like that coming out
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): , they now do the same thing!
[13:24] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes it is
[13:24] herman Bergson: Yes Bejiita...that is my feeling too
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and it is Netenyahu and those extra orthodox
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): so far they have slaughtered around 20000 children? were these children Hamas terrorists too?
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): not good people at all
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and for example, one doctor said one child was shot in the head twice
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): close quarters
[13:26] herman Bergson: The Israeli never gave the Palestinians a fair chance....that is the problem
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): exactly
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): but i also blame the UN
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): this and what Putin is doing at the moment is the main reason i have not been able to feel really happy for at least a year now, i get depressed over what is going on. its 2024 and we slaughter each other like never before!
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ,why?
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): :(
[13:27] Max Chatnoir: And how can you stop somebody else's war without starting your own?
[13:27] herman Bergson: It is incredible, Bejiita...when you watch Youtube and waht is happening.....
[13:27] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): it's a;; about ego's and power
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): very true
[13:28] herman Bergson: Then you see a clip...beng that tank was blown up ....NO....thre people were killed!
[13:28] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): Netanyhu has always wanted more power
[13:28] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): never trusted him
[13:29] herman Bergson: I don't know the guy
[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but i don't get how u can do something like this? have no feelings. Well i guess it's the same as for Putin, he was raised in KGB already as a kid to be a total asshole and mass murderer with no feelings
[13:29] herman Bergson: But what he does in Gaza is wrong..
[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): correct
[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): total monsters
[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): very hard to understand
[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): yes
[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): extremely hard
[13:30] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): esp for me since im on the totoal opposite scale
[13:30] herman Bergson: But what strikes me too is the enormous power Hamas seems to haver
[13:30] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i have no evil in me whatsoever
[13:30] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): just love
[13:30] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): it is the power behind Hamas that is the problem
[13:30] herman Bergson: Iran?
[13:30] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and Hezzbola
[13:30] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but every Palestinian is not Hamas
[13:31] herman Bergson: And here we see Israel use AI to find their targets...
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm its a total and tragic mess, cant we just stop blow each other up and just be together
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): we are the same after all = Humans
[13:32] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): its so meaningless
[13:32] herman Bergson: Unfortunately not, Bejiita....
[13:32] Max Chatnoir: We should not use AI for making that kind of life-and-death decision.
[13:32] herman Bergson: Indeed Max....
[13:32] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed true max, and then blame all on the machine
[13:32] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): i guess Hamas is using AI too
[13:32] herman Bergson: But it happens
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): if i for ex use an AI powered industrial robot to massacre people I as the operator of the machine is the murderer, not the machine
[13:33] herman Bergson: Probably yes, Beertje....we all do :-)
[13:33] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): yes
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): I tell the machine what to do or activated/programmed the AI, them im the one responsible
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): thats how I see it, so they cant get away with hiding behind AI in my opinion
[13:34] herman Bergson: That is the point Bejiita....if you have the machine doing the job, you have less moral issues with it
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): they operate it
[13:34] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): they were probably people idd at protests, arrested , etc
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): you operate the machine hurting others then u are responsible, that's my view
[13:34] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): it seems to me that this war is like a game to play
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): not the machine
[13:35] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): its still just a machine
[13:35] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): doing what we tell it
[13:35] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): program it to do
[13:35] herman Bergson: Well, the drone operators are gaming indeed, I guess Beertje
[13:35] herman Bergson: It is really horrible yto watch
[13:35] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): (shudders) games are still normally VR
[13:35] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): yes, they don't see blood, not real blood from a human beiing
[13:36] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): they don't hear the screems from the field
[13:36] herman Bergson: No...a tank is si,ply blown up....beng...three people dead...but you dont see the blood
[13:36] Max Chatnoir: and are the machine operators directly responsible or did somebody tell them to do it? It's like soldiers on a battle field.
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and yes i enjoy FPS shooters, but its just a vr world, i have fun with friends, not hurting people. i could never do this if i knew it involved real people even if i was behind a screen shooting at them
[13:37] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but thats me
[13:37] herman Bergson: Yes it is Max....they defend their country against an aggressor
[13:37] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i guess u have that bias too
[13:37] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm
[13:38] Max Chatnoir: But isn't that what Netanyahu says he is doing? Defending his country?
[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): plus how Putin for ex branÃnwash everyone with propaganda about need to wipe out these and those
[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): yes Neth does exactly the same
[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): defending the nation by erradicating every single human in palestine
[13:39] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): untill noone is alive there
[13:39] herman Bergson: Well. the PAlestians made a big mistake with theit terrorost attack, I would say....what purpose did it serve....none...
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): right and was a terrible attack
[13:40] Max Chatnoir: Yes, it was.
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): that attack was tragic for sure also but their response to it
[13:40] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): talk about killing children
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): im on noones side here
[13:40] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): piece by piece
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i just wish we could stop blow each other up
[13:40] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): in dfront of parents
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): yes :(
[13:40] herman Bergson: In my opinion it was a horrible mistake....
[13:41] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): there is a lot of anger involved, on both sides
[13:41] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): what have thise children done?
[13:41] herman Bergson: and the Israeli were just waiting for a thing like that
[13:41] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): as said i have been feeling not so happy for a good while now and this is one of the main reasons, and that i cant do anything about it
[13:41] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): Hamas could have known that
[13:41] herman Bergson: Sure...
[13:42] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): didn't they care of their own paople?
[13:42] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): people
[13:42] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): history is long and hard for both sides
[13:42] Max Chatnoir: There has to be a way to solve these national disputes without all this death and destruction. Look at the wasted human effort in those obliterated cities.
[13:42] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): Hamas uses their people
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): agree max :(
[13:42] herman Bergson: God question...I asked myself too...what do you do to your people?
[13:42] ๖̶̶̶ۣۣۜۜ͜ Kimmy Jannings ღڰۣÚ°ۣ- (kim1987.wirefly): shocking
[13:42] kim1987 Wirefly en>de: schockierend
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed Herman!
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): its just so.... :(
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): all we can hope for is that Biden has put the fear of loss of money and backing into the was council in Israel
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): I know he is trying
[13:44] herman Bergson: Well...let's conclude our debate in sadness and silece.....we can't help the people overthere.....jusst hope for the best....
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): right
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ♥ Thank Youuuuuuuuuu!! ♥
[13:44] herman Bergson: Class dismissed....
[13:44] Guestboook van tipjar stand: Gemma Cleanslate donated L$100. Thank you very much, it is much appreciated!
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm true, as said wish i could but..
[13:45] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): see you tomorrow i hope
[13:45] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm
[13:45] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): no sleeping
[13:45] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hugs Gemma
[13:45] Max Chatnoir: Thanks, Herman.
[13:45] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): cu
[13:45] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:45] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:45] herman Bergson: At the golf course Gemma :-)
[13:45] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes
[13:45] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaa yes
[13:45] ๖̶̶̶ۣۣۜۜ͜ Kimmy Jannings ღڰۣÚ°ۣ- (kim1987.wirefly): bye gemma
[13:45] kim1987 Wirefly en>de: Tschüss Gemma
[13:45] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): bye
[13:45] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): cu ㋡
