The Influence of John Locke’s Primary and Secondary Qualities on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Systems

Abstract

This research examines the influence of Locke's primary and secondary attributes on artificial intelligence (AI) systems. It is also attempts to examine the underlying philosophy of Locke’s primary and secondary qualities as they relate to ideas in AI. The ideas are perceived to be analogous in principle to those found in artificial intelligence. In his theory of knowledge regarding primary and secondary qualities, Locke maintains that all objects possess specific characteristics that can be classified into two groups: primary and secondary qualities. Primary qualities are inherent to the object, and they include aspects such as shape, size, and position. These characteristics are deemed objective according to Locke, as they are regarded similarly by all. In contrast, secondary qualities are the traits that the observer attributes to the object, including taste, colour, scent and texture. These qualities are subjective since individuals do not share identical preferences or olfactory senses. This study utilizes the qualitative method in the form of a review of existing literature to investigate the impact of Locke’s primary and secondary qualities on AI systems. Starting with the function of empirical data and the differentiation between primary and secondary qualities, the study assesses how AI dependence on extensive datasets, machine learning techniques, and neural network architectures corresponds with Locke's secondary qualities. It further explores the knowledge-based status of AI produced inputs and outputs concerning reliability, trustworthiness, and biases present in training data. The paper argues that there exists a convergence between Locke’s philosophy and the operation of AI.