Digital Islamic Humanities

Digital Islamic Humanities

A Comparative Study of the Capacities of Artificial Intelligence in Reconstructing Human Identity and Consciousness from the Perspective of Mulla Ṣadrā’s Transcendent Theosophy and John Searle’s Philosophy of Mind

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Seyyedeh Masoumeh Tabatabai 1
Arash Rajabi 2
1 PhD Graduate in Islamic Theology, University of Qom; Lecturer at Amirkabir University
2 PhD Graduate in Theoretical Foundations of Islam, University of Islamic Sciences; Lecturer at Amirkabir University
10.22034/disah.2026.2057628.1047
Abstract
This article presents a philosophical analysis of the concept of identity in the context of artificial intelligence from the perspective of Transcendent Theosophy—particularly the views of Mulla Ṣadrā—and contemporary philosophy. With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence as one of the most significant innovations in computer science, fundamental questions have arisen regarding the reconstruction of human identity and its comparison with natural intelligence. This study examines the philosophical capacities and limitations of artificial intelligence from the viewpoints of Ṣadr al-Mutaʾallihīn and John Searle and offers a comparative analysis of their perspectives on identity and consciousness in machines and intelligent systems. According to both thinkers, despite its remarkable progress, artificial intelligence is incapable of attaining human identity, as it lacks essential attributes such as consciousness, intentionality, and immateriality. John Searle maintains that artificial systems will never achieve genuine consciousness, since the comprehension of meaning and the experience of awareness are unique characteristics of the human brain and mind and cannot be attributed to machines. He has consistently reinforced this position through his famous “Chinese Room” thought experiment and his extensive critiques of prevailing theories of artificial intelligence.
Keywords
Artificial Intelligence
Identity
Transcendent Theosophy
Ṣadr al-Mutaʾallihīn (Mulla Ṣadrā)
John Searle
Philosophy of Mind
Consciousness
 
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Digital Islamic Humanities
Volume 1, Issue 2
November 2025