Greetings, readers. There may be differing opinions on this topic, but I believe the assertion that happiness is dependent on others is fundamentally flawed. While it is true that external influences can hamper our joy—be it through financial exploitation, physical coercion, or emotional abuse—I find it hard to accept that relationships are the very foundation of happiness. In his seminal work, Flow, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi argues that deep satisfaction and optimal experiences arise from engagement in activities that require focused attention but are not overwhelmingly challenging. He posits that this state of mind can be cultivated and is not merely a product of circumstance.
Further supporting my viewpoint is the practice of Buddhist monks, who use meditation—particularly compassion meditations—and teach detachment to attain a stable emotional state, recognizing emotions as fleeting and not worth investing in.
It concerns me to see academics promoting a questionable theory of happiness while simultaneously suggesting that AI innovations could be beneficial, even if only to a limited extent.
By Anné H. Verhoef, Professor in Philosophy, North-West University and Edmund Terem Ugar, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, North-West University. Originally published at The Conversation
Can technology genuinely replace human relationships? As scholars in philosophy focusing on human happiness and artificial intelligence (AI), we explore this question in our recent paper.
In our study, we examine the increasing prevalence of AI companions, chatbots, and social robots that offer friendship, advice, emotional support, and even romance.
While we acknowledge that AI can alleviate loneliness and provide assistance, it fundamentally lacks the genuine understanding, emotional depth, and moral accountability crucial for human flourishing.
True happiness stems from authentic interpersonal connections. The role of AI is disrupting traditional notions of friendship and relationships, and substituting them with AI-driven interactions may weaken well-being and community bonds.
Understanding Human Happiness
The concept of happiness is multi-faceted. In our paper, we refer to the ideas of French philosopher Paul Ricoeur, who addresses the significance of authentic human connections, friendships, and community building in the pursuit of happiness.
Ricoeur was influential in exploring human capability and self-understanding within the context of social systems. He enhanced our comprehension of happiness by linking it to unhappiness and chance, as well as emphasizing its relational characteristics. He makes three interrelated assertions about happiness:
First, happiness mirrors an individual’s aspirations for a fulfilled life and personal agency. However, Ricoeur cautions that people operate within intricate social frameworks that shape their pursuit of happiness, meaning it cannot solely be achieved through individual effort. This leads us to his second point.
Second, happiness evolves from the exchange of giving and receiving, making its fragile essence reliant on shared experiences. This connection is essential not just with those we know intimately but also extends to others around us.
Ricoeur’s third assertion broadens the scope of happiness to encompass not just personal pursuits, but the roles that others play—both familiar friends and distant strangers—in facilitating or obstructing those pursuits.
Thus, happiness can be found within oneself, in intimate relationships, or through connections to a broader community.
Ricoeur’s perspective on happiness resonates with a notable study indicating that strong community ties contribute to longer, happier lives.
This long-term study has analyzed the experiences of 268 students over nearly 80 years, revealing that close relationships are the most reliable predictors of longevity, health, and life satisfaction. Such connections protect against dissatisfaction and delay physical and cognitive decline, proving more significant than factors like wealth or social status.
However, the rise of digital technology and AI complicates our understanding of who counts as “others” in our quest for individual happiness.
The Role of Robotic Technology
A recent study reveals that 68% of AI chatbot users perceive these tools as “somewhat” or “fully” humanlike. Furthermore, 90% view chatbots as intelligent, 78% see them as empathetic, and 75% believe they possess consciousness.
AI is increasingly being used to answer questions and engage with human interests, reshaping the nature of dialogues across various sectors. As a result, our understanding of friendship is evolving to include human-technology relationships.
Traditionally, “others” have been human beings. Emerging research on human-technology interactions compels us to rethink what constitutes the “other,” spanning contexts from sports companions to sexual intimacy. These studies prompt us to reconsider our criteria for meaningful connections.
Technologies like Replika are now fulfilling the role of the “other” in many lives. This human-assisting chatbot has amassed over 42 million users globally, designed to provide companionship to those who may feel isolated. Users even create avatars to represent their digital friends.
AI-driven social robots are disrupting conventional social norms and concepts of well-being. Consider the socially disruptive technologies that continually challenge our perceptions and understanding of the world. Historically, technologies were devoid of moral agency; however, they now operate as both moral subjects and objects within our lives.
In Japan, the hikikomori phenomenon, characterized by extreme social withdrawal, is rising, with around 1.5 million individuals forming attachments to virtual companions instead of human connections.
Additionally, approximately 3,700 individuals have sought marriage certificates with a hologram known as Hatsune Miku. One such marriage has already been registered, while social robots are even serving as religious leaders in certain religious contexts.
These advancements have fundamentally altered traditional notions of friendship, relationships, and what it entails to contribute to human well-being.
Can Robots Truly Foster Happiness?
In our study, we acknowledge that these technologies have the potential to enhance human flourishing and happiness, but not in the manner envisioned by Ricoeur regarding “others.”
They do not fulfill the essential criteria for human connection. Specifically, the technologies:
- merely replicate shared experiences
- lack independent will and are not accountable for any moral or legal decisions
- have no unique stories or experiences of their own
While social robots may lack sentience—the ability to experience pleasure or pain—they can provoke meaningful emotional and psychological responses that improve human well-being in ways akin to traditional human interactions. AI-driven social bots are always available, energetic, patient, and responsive to our needs, which may give them an edge in offering support over our closest friends and family.
However, we must keep in mind that they remain just social bots. Confusing them with the “others” that Ricoeur referred to or with those in the Harvard study could lead to fundamental misunderstandings.
This is due to the fact that the experiences they produce are not genuine, and they are not subjects of moral consideration (such as receiving real care, justice, and empathy). We contend that being a subject of moral consideration is essential for fostering authentic human happiness and well-being.
