"AI is positioned as a system that can reduce uncertainty and move us closer to an optimal order. The problem is that this assumes the standard of the good itself is stable, which it is not."
"Augustine argued that human desire is not inherently corrupt, but often misdirected. A misalignment in those loves, valuing earthly glory over enduring goods, renders any system unstable."
"The City of Man is built on self-love and the libido dominandi, the drive for mastery. Without a higher ordering principle, it cannot stabilize itself."
"Human order falls short not because it lacks capacity, but because it is shaped by what it ultimately values."
The narrative surrounding artificial intelligence emphasizes its potential for improved predictions and outcomes, suggesting it can reduce uncertainty. However, this relies on the assumption that the definition of 'good' is stable, which is not the case. Every AI system is based on prior decisions about what constitutes 'good', reflecting human values. Saint Augustine's insights reveal that societal decay stems from misaligned human desires. The City of Man, driven by self-love, contrasts with the City of God, which is oriented towards divine love, highlighting the importance of values in shaping human systems.
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