J. Dmitri Gallow to Present St. Norbert College Killeen Chair Lecture

Facebook / Tweet

From St. Norbert College, November 2, 2023
by Eva Westein, eva.westein@snc.edu, 920-403-3153

J. Dmitri Gallow, senior research fellow of the Dianoia Institute of Philosophy at Australian Catholic University, presents “Existential Risk and the Artificial Will” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, in the Fort Howard Theater at the F. K. Bemis International Center at St. Norbert College. It’s the second installment of the 2023-24 Killeen Chair Lecture Series: Visions of Apocalypse.

Visions of apocalypse seem nearly omnipresent in both our fiction and our predictions for the future. This cultural outlook demands critical reflection: How do our current fascinations with the end of civilization compare to other apocalyptic movements throughout history? Are these expectations of a bleak future warranted? If so, what are the appropriate ethics and theologies for our world’s last days?

In keeping with this theme, Gallow will discuss the process of creating artificial minds as humanity adds intelligence into machines. Some have argued that the uncertainty regarding the development of autonomous wills poses an existential risk to humanity, for they allege that most of the desires an artificial agent could develop will make it rational for them to take steps to disempower humanity. Gallow will investigate this thesis using the tools of rational choice theory: If an artificial agent’s desires are sampled randomly, they will be somewhat more likely to make choices that leave less up to chance, which afford them more choices later on, and which prevent their desires from being changed.

Gallow’s research focuses on the metaphysics of causation and chance, the rational norms governing credence and choice, and the connections between those topics. He also has an interest in the philosophy of science, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, the philosophy of language, the philosophy of economics and logic. He previously taught philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh and at New York University.

Established in 1984, the Killeen Chair of Theology & Philosophy aims to bring well-known scholars of theology and philosophy, and their work, to St. Norbert College. The program strives to emphasize the importance of theology and philosophy in a liberal arts education; to highlight St. Norbert College’s commitment to a personally, intellectually and spiritually challenging education; and to benefit the college, the Diocese of Green Bay and the broader community of northeast Wisconsin.

The Killeen Chair is named after the late Sylvester Killeen, O.Praem., the second abbot of St. Norbert Abbey and chancellor of the college. For more information, call the Killeen Chair office at 920-403-3957 or visit https://www.snc.edu/killeen.