Compassion, Ethics, and AI in Literary Works by Kazuo Ishiguro, Ian McEwan, Marge Piercy and Ted Chiang

Abstract

This dissertation considers the literary presentation of empathy and compassion in AI-human relations and the contingent ethical implications. It critically examines how four authors, Kazuo Ishiguro, Ian McEwan, Marge Piercy, and Ted Chiang, imagine AI and robots, not as dystopian symbols of technological menace, but as entities capable of empathetic connections with humans. Contrasting traditional narratives that focus on the dangers of AI, this study highlights a shift towards a nuanced representation where AI exhibits characteristics of emotional responsiveness and compassion. Using a posthumanist theoretical framework, the paper explores the ethical implications of these portrayals, challenging the boundaries of moral responsibility towards artificial beings. This approach not only offers a fresh perspective on AI in literature but also provokes a re-evaluation of our societal and ethical norms in the age of advanced technology. This study aims to contribute to a revision of our understanding of humanity and empathy in the context of our evolving relationship with AI.