ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing ArtsISSN (Online): 2582-7472
Personal Empathy of Clones and AIs: A Humanistic Approach to Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go and Klara and the Sun Bibin Jossy. J 1, Dr. G.M. Joseph Dunston 2 1 Research
Scholar, Department of English & Research Centre, St. Jerome's College, Anandhanadarkudi, Kanyakumari, From Manonmaniam
Sundaranar University, Abhishegappatti,
Tirunelveli, India 2 Professor,
Department of English & Research Centre, St. Jerome's College, Anandhanadarkudi, Kanyakumari, From Manonmaniam
Sundaranar University, Abhishegappatti,
Tirunelveli, India
1. INTRODUCTION When we have a smooth sailing in our life, it becomes a bed of roses. Human minds always yearn for this kind of life, but the same mind has many layers of hazardous elements, which prevent them from avoiding enjoyment and fulfilment. However, the innate desire for happiness inspires them to design strategies for a happy and comfortable life. Before God had created the humans, He designed the Universe to give all the possible facilities and accessories to be consciously used by them. Above all, the reasoning sense gave them the aptitude for goodness. He saw everything good for His creation. Men began to romanticize their lifestyles as the world had progressed as God had foreseen. Their growth is related to refinement, comforts, and the sophisticated needs of the new millennium. Naturally, the human minds put in strenuous efforts to achieve that goal of developing cutting-edge technologies, which make innovations, technological advancements, digital well-beings, on-screen settlements and global marketings possible driving the elements of humanism to the last seat. Anderson et al. (2021) Humanism lays stress on the significance of human values and dignity. It helps people pave the way for a personal growth and construct the world a better place to exist. However, the current generation is largely concerned with the technology's increasing selfish influence over the broad springs of human fervor jeopardising an individual's privacy and sense of aesthetics. People have become narrow minded and self-centered and commit themselves to achieve their own self-sufficiency. Their ultimate goal is towards accumulating wealth, which is the root cause of all evils in this world. Unnatural objects, deprived of emotional feeling, try to replace empathetic human friends. The article focuses on the above mentioned area to find out whether clones and artificial intelligence can contribute to the happy and personal comfort zones of the human beings. Boschetti (2010) 2. The Objectives of the paper ·
To find out how human
intelligence cope with Artificial Intelligence ·
To investigate how a
clone, which is not yet acknowledged as human is fragile, ·
To expose the desires
and pains that clones and Artificial Intelligence harbour in their deepest
hearts (cells). ·
To compare
and contrast the empathy of real people with that of clones and ·
Artificial
Intelligence 3. The Uniqueness of the
paper This study makes
an attempt to locate humanity in the context of contemporary society by
connecting the lives of clones and Artificial Intelligence. Ishiguro, a modern
craftsman, attempts to capture the physical, emotional, psychological, and
spiritual endeavours in the lives of humanity and demonstrates that machines
can also feel empathy for their companions in his account of the relationship
between the non-human and human beings. Cloning
(2022) 4. Research Questions ·
How do clones and
Artificial Intelligence feel connected emotionally to their loved ones? ·
What is the
inspiration behind the creation of clones and Artificial Intelligence? ·
Do these creations
represent kindness or cruelty? ·
What kind of empathy
does it arouse? And how does this empathy benefit others? ·
Will AI-powered
devices and cloned humans eventually replace people completely? 5. Research Methodology Humanism as an approach to life is applied to this article to explore the growth mindset of the human beings in the new millennium. The consumeristic culture, which plays a pre-dominant role amid the present-day generations and the innovations through cutting-edge technologies form the thought pattern of the article keeping personal empathy as the backdrop. The narrative technique of Ishiguro is another line of argument. The basic human values of love, generosity, understanding, respect, and recognition add spice to the deliberations. Copeland (2022) 6. What / Who are Clones and
AIs? Kazuo Ishiguro in his acclaimed dystopian novel Never Let Me Go talks about clones and features the three chatty companions Kathy, H, Ruth, and Tommy. They were “made” via genetic engineering to donate organs to people. In truth, cloning is a “a method that researchers utilise to create perfect genetic replicas of living beings. It is possible to clone genes, cells, organs, and even entire animals.” (Encyclopaedia, page number?) Clones are produced through genetic cloning using DNA, tissue, or cells for the cultivation of organs in the medical industry. Currie (2009) The fictional boarding school called Hailsham is the place where the protagonists of this tale are raised. The experiments in the school begin with the traditional upbringing of clones and convert them into the next phase for donating the organs. According to Boschetti, “the experiment was a technique to illustrate that clones could grow like people provided they were subjected to a certain education and stimulation.” (41) Therefore, the clones in this novel are raised and live much like human beings, with the exception of being aware of their status as human beings. They possess the same physical, emotional, cognitive, and psychological capabilities as men and women. Whereas, artificial intelligence or “AI” is a robotic which has some intelligence to feel and understand. It defines the “ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to do tasks generally associated with intelligent beings” (The Britannica Encyclopedia). It performs at a level comparable to that of experts and professionals working in the field. Accomplished artificial intelligence (AI) executes visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation, in a variety of sectors, which is conventionally, related to human race. Goleman (1998) Ishiguro created an AI as his protagonist who is fully equipped with the morals and ethics that a human being must possess by being aware of the rapidly changing world of digitalization. With a full set of talents and performance, Klara is a solar-powered AF (Artificial Friend) who is fresh to the digital market, “watching and observing the shop's outside” (45) where it or she is on display and can understand and co-relate the events with customers, while they share their experience to the shop manager. James V. Stone claims: Artificial intelligences (AIs) are deep neural networks rely on adaptive algorithms to master a wide variety of tasks, including cancer diagnosis, object recognition, speech recognition, robotic control, chess, poker, backgammon, and Go at super-human levels of performance. (A Brief Guide to Artificial Intelligence 124) In her capability as an AF, Klara comforts its owner/companion, Josie, who acquires her to deal with the death of her sister. It replaces the need to be a human being, save for the sense of taste and mortality. 7. Role of Empathy Empathy is defined as “the power of delving into another's personality and imagining his experiences.” (Champers English Dictionary) It is about defining, comprehending, and responding to the wants and concerns that underpin other people's emotional responses and reactions, according to Goleman who puts it in a profound context. Inscapecenter (n.d.) The ancient Greek term “empatheia” is the source of the modern word “empathy,” meaning ‘to share a feeling or sympathizing.’ The Latin word ‘empatia’ means ‘to feel with,’ pathos, or feeling, is the root word to empathy. The word “em” in Greek means “in” or “to go into.” Therefore, “when we are empathising, we enter the other's sensations or experiences.” (Christopher) There are various empathies explicit in the psychological elements, such as understanding, responding, developing, awaking, and making them service-oriented with regard to the place and the person who wants to interact with. When human beings are not very concerned with their fellow creatures, the clones and AF’s that they had created. Although it appears contradictory to those spectators, the degradation of the human experience in the view of clones and AIs advances sympathetic points. The scientific idea that such clones could be created in the long term through robotics and scientific advancement has given rise to a dispute over empathy. Rather than the motive of consoling the next generation, commercialization believed to be at the heart of all these terrible endeavours. Being under the label of sophistication, the people in power could really work hard to possess their humanity by showing inhuman deeds like Hailsham and teaching them to become benefactors to various needs of human lives. These individuals could not comprehend how compassion and empathy could become the source of human life. It could help people overcome their shortcomings and failures. Their outward empathy is understood as insufficient. Instead, it will devastate the lives of future generations. The clones may not have a real heart (it should be donated), but they interpret the wishes of other people's hearts and souls as what they would have been if they had been individuals from their inner consciousness in that scenario. When Tommy smacks her, Cathy, as a dear friend, feels for him while purposefully observing everyone else in the camp: Tommy burst
into thunderous bellowing, and the boys, now laughing openly, started to runoff
towards the South Playing Field… it was hard to say whether his instinct was to
give angry chase… Then he began to scream and shout, a nonsensical jumble of
swear words and insults… Tommy wasn’t used to being disturbed during his rages…
when I came up to him was to stare at me for a second… I reached forward and
put a hand on his arm… as he threw up his arm, he knocked my hand aside and hit
the side of my face… ‘Tommy,’ I said, quietly sternly. ‘There’s mud all over
your shirt.’ ‘So what?’ he mumbled. (Ishiguro 9,11)
Ishiguro (2005) Nevertheless, she claims that it did not hurt despite her discomfort and shyness in front of all of her other friends. It is impossible to compare the importance of empathy in clones' life to that of human beings, because they frequently overlook their own biological kin. By observing the empathetic nature that Klara (an AF) displays to Josie, even while she lies in bed ill, the AI's peculiarity caused the readers to raise their eyebrows. With the gestures she observes in human lives, she tries to convey her own emotions. Nevertheless, she claims that “The more I observed, the more I wanted to understand, and unlike Rose (her friend and another Artificial Friend), I became perplexed and increasingly interested by the more mysterious feelings passers-by would express in front of us.” (Ishiguro 18) She is the one who always feels for others with positive attitudes. Ishiguro (2021) Klara is portrayed as an extremely observant AF who is constantly empathising with her surroundings, in contrast to other Artificial Friends in the novel. She tells Josie to be frank, “If there was anything difficult, anything frightening, to be faced in her house, we would do so together and held them up, shaking them up slightly.” (Ishiguro 26) 8. Humanity of Clones and AIs People frequently look for modern technology in their
hectic schedules to compensate for the risky tasks. On this premise, the
universe as a whole is still looking for a replacement
for the unattainable. They lack the patience necessary to take care of
humanity's needs in order to satisfy their desires.
The uniqueness of the next generation, however, tends to make their way of life
seem less alive due to genetic engineering, deforestation, global warming, the
development of machine learning, and data coding. PsycholoGenie (2022) Jay Owens suggests that “this is not a sustainable model moving forward, even if this idealistic at this point, we’re being forced to conform to the digitization of everything, which is separating people from each other, enslaving them, facilitating mass manipulation and oppression.” (Pew Research Center) Even if AI’s have made great strides, humanity is still required everywhere. Can human ethics compete with those of non-human beings? Yes, humanity has not completely vanished from this great world. The outcomes of new-generation technologies and discoveries give the image of a superman (dystopian) mindset. Clones and AI’s are created in Ishiguro's story to better the environment in which they reside. They might learn about human theories pushed by great philosophers and psychologists because of their intellect. Every human being, according to Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers, wonders, “Am I not a good enough person?” or “What should I be doing to contribute to society so that I can be good and successful?” According to the humanistic viewpoint, while human beings have good hearts by nature, they occasionally neglect to ponder the purpose of their being in this diverse world. Kathy and Klara, from Never Let Me Go and Klara and the Sun, both demonstrate the characteristics of complete individuals. People are continually striving to contribute goods or materials, or to 'donate' or 'present' something in order to be recognized and respected as individuals. A “gift” is something that is freely and willingly given by someone. The aim of donation or offer, however, for Cathy and Klara, is a compulsion to prove themselves as mere humans, to gain respect and recognition as complete humans when other members of society label them as non-humans. They are constantly eager to be donors and express their compassion by donating essential organs. Kathy.H “cannot think of a different kind of being, though,” (Mullan (2009), 108) she draws on her background as a student of Hailsam, a caregiver, and a donor to infer that “her listeners are all logical as well as narrow-minded” (108). Whether they are donors or caretakers, Kathy H. is worried about other people. The readers do not know this, until Madam reveals as: Your lives are set out for you. You will become adults, then before you’re old, before you’re even middle aged, you will start to donate your vital organs. That’s what each of you was created to do […] you were brought into the world for a purpose, and your futures, all of them, have been decided. (80) Because of this, the clones are forced to live limited lives, not knowing, “where or by whom they were copied,” (54) but giving their lives in order to save humanity. They emphasise that “they [the clones] were less than human” (54) when they transplant their organs to these tragic sites of the earth. The clones, on the other hand, are aware of who they are, and have some hope for the future, in contrast to the original human who is unaware of it. She claims, “I could already see a new world emerging. More efficient and scientific, certainly, further treatments for the disease.” (52) In contrast, Klara excels in her technical responsibilities and demonstrates her amazing talent for perceiving, responding, adjusting, and picking up new information rapidly by questioning her roots. When she learns from the shop's manager that “people feel a pain alongside their happiness in such a time [of love and compassion],” (Ishiguro 67) Klara's goal is not only to accompany and amuse Josie, but also to replace her if she passes away as a result of the “lifting” process by genetic engineering. Sal, the family's elder daughter, was lost in the same way what science called it a boon. Klara acts like a normal friend, adding some extraneous mechanisms to Josie's recuperation from illness by praying to God (Sun - personified entity by which she has received solar energy as her life) by watching an elderly person get healed. Stone (2020) Klara questions why, in the absence of a friend or during a crisis, young people need artificial friend. Then she realises that loneliness might be the grounds that make people feel alienated even in conditions when technology is advancing. Josie’s father once confessed to Klara that “Science has proved beyond doubt, there is nothing so unique about our daughter, nothing there our modern tools can’t excavate, copy, transfer.” (221) Therefore, the desire of the physical world of science and technology's lasting strength is constrained in its humanistic perspective. Klara, the artificial intelligence, may be compared to Abraham Maslow's “theory of personality,” in her attempts to realise her objectives and function as a representative of Josie in numerous ways. Klara appears to be losing herself and empathises with Josie by avoiding other AI’s ignoring the shop manager's instructions. She can confidently tell the manager, “I don't mind wasting precious liquids. I'd gladly given more, given everything, if it meant you helping Josie in a specific way.” (109) Klara's empathic attitude is revealed in the small story of the future's entirely digitalized and compressed world of tragedy. 9. Findings In this medical and digitally advanced era, people need to transform themselves instead of transplanting organs and rushing to replace their friends digitally. Technology eases the burdens of human beings, of course, but people should value humanity. Charity begins at home. Naturally, the values instilled in the children also begin at home itself. If that formation continues, future generation can use the technology with the due respect to humanity. “Technology does not exist by itself; it renders humans somewhat perfect, rather it only amplifies the chances of becoming human fully human. According to Albert Einstein, this technology has become so appallingly beyond our humanity that “the human spirit must prevail over technology” (Einstein) with moral values. Ishiguro’s contemporary settings must give readers a hazy impression of the modern world, which is being experienced with flaws and parallel alternatives like clones and AI’s. In the construction of human lives, it is possible to experience loneliness and selfishness when living a modest life. No one is superior, however, recognizing and respecting one's fellow human being goes a long way toward improving the next generation, whether it is powered by human being or computer. 10. Scope for Further Extension Ishiguro’s novels can offer rich resources for post-war dilemma, deliberations, and tensions. The description of geographical dislocation and emotional disconnection in his novels and the characters, give an ample chance for comprehensive study. A comparison of concepts of Charlotte Bronte, Anton Chekov, Charles Dickens, and Fyodor Dostoevsky will offer a wide spectrum of analysis. Ishiguro’s narrative method appears to be the form a great area of theoretical exploration synthesized with memory and time. 11. Conclusion Finally, by observing and analysing the lifestyles of clones and AI’s, each person, by nature, is responsible for making their own lives happy and free of difficulties and obligations. Nothing could be more harmful to human beings if they genuinely mature into social beings. The only thing that the entire human community could achieve then is empathy, which is born of compassion. In the near future, neither artificial intelligence (AI) nor human clones will be able to dramatically advance. Unconditional love in treating loved ones with respect and kindness, as well as utilising intelligence to display those parts of humanity that are tragically absent in this “catastrophic era.” (Caruth (1996), 11) Try to live in a social setting, be safe, and create the rhythmic mixing of your bliss strings. “With each new technical innovation, technology helps human badness grow in strength and power, to be more harmful and destructive, and to cause more sorrow and anguish,” writes Frank Kauffman. The millennium generation, like him, is preoccupied with technology that provides “Bad people have the ability to make things worse. It empowers excellent people to be better... and there is a world full of digital geniuses who do not know right from wrong or good from bad. And there are some who will sell their soul for a chuckling Emoji.” (14) In future, be hopeful and have enough humanity to live a better life.
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