Problem of the Techno-subject: On the Subjectivity of “Entity-Constructors”

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of one of the most critical points of our time - the crisis of human subjectivity caused by the emergence of an alternative form of agent of social life in society - a techno-object with artificial intelligence and signs of subjectivity. The author’s goal is to justify the possibility of interpreting the nature of these devices as subject-like objects. The study is based on the explication of the concepts of the subject and subjectivity contained in both classical theories and the actor-network theory and related approaches (B. Latour, J. Law, A. Mol), in the object-oriented ontology of G. Harman, ‘onticology’ of Levi R. Bryant, theories of assemblage of M. DeLanda and complexity of E.Morin, in the concepts of the machine unconscious N. Land and techno-subject V. Mazin. An integrated characterization of a person as a subject is used: an individual being with active beginning, physicality, physicality and length, consciousness, personality characteristics and self-awareness. The criteria for categorizing some techno-objects as a type of techno-subject: autonomy and intelligence are introduced. Such techno-objects are artificial entities, assemblies, ready for transformation into techno-subjects. The difference between ‘weak’ techno-subjects (without artificial intelligence) and techno-subjects themselves (with artificial intelligence) is discussed. It is claimed that techno-subjects, genetically remaining technical entities, are in the transitional zone from one entity – ‘entity-constructor’ to another - organic techno-matter, similar to man. Accumulating components and functions of an active artificial system, techno-objects acquire the quality of subjectivity. It has been established that the artificial entity-subject manifests itself (a) in passive entity-actants; (b) in active proto-subject entities; and (c) actually in ‘entity-constructor’ - techno-subjects with the ability to integrate data, analyze it in a situation of uncertainty, reprogramming themselves and creating new algorithms.