Buddhist Philosophy, Scientific Inquiry, and the Ethics of AI in Literature
Bodi, Padmasri1 and Raghu Ram, Koduru Sree2
1Assistant Professor in English, Vasireddy Venkatadri Institute of Technology, Nambur, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
2Assistant Professor, EOFL Department, VFSTR (Deemed to be) University, Vadlamudi, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India,
Abstract
The discourse surrounding creativity, authorship, and human interpretation has sparked intense ethical debates due to the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence in literature. With AI tools increasingly permeating literary analysis and creative writing, issues of bias, emotional depth, and ethical governance come sharply into focus. The paper offers a broader bibliographical cogitation around the convergence of Buddhist philosophy, scientific inquiry, and AI ethics in literature. It proposes that Buddhist tenets of mindfulness, wisdom, and ethical conduct can provide a transcendental scaffolding for efficaciously critiquing the issues at hand. By drawing on Buddhist epistemology, this work shows how scientific inquiry and AI ethics can benefit from mindful decision-making and the ethical governance of AIs. It investigates the role of Buddhist thought in the responsible development of AI, specifically regarding compassionate technology in all forms. This paper also reads Ruskin Bond in light of his narrative strategies, his meditative storytelling style, and his deep ecological awareness to understand how an emphasis on mindfulness and simplicity resonates within him. A question arises: can AI, in its ability to replicate meditation, recapture the mindfulness embedded in human literary expression? Interspersing literature, philosophy, and AI ethics, this study shows that Buddhist ethical tenets furnish a guiding framework for AI governance in humanities research. Indeed, it stresses the need for an interdisciplinary approach to perpetuate AI as an augmentation rather than substitution. Ultimately, this paper promotes a balanced partnership between AI and humankind that respects the internal cultural, ethical, and intellectual NSA of literary traditions.
Keywords: AI Ethics, Buddhist Philosophy, Digital Humanities, Literary Criticism, Mindfulness, Narrative Techniques, Ruskin Bond
Impact Statement
The research paper titled “Buddhist Philosophy, Scientific Inquiry, and the Ethics of AI in Literature” provides a timely and interdisciplinary exploration into how ancient philosophical traditions, particularly Buddhist thought, can inform contemporary debates around artificial intelligence (AI), its ethical use, and its portrayal in literature. By bridging Eastern philosophical tenets such as mindfulness, non-attachment, interdependence, and compassion with modern scientific and technological discourse, this study offers a fresh moral framework for evaluating AI’s evolving role in society.
The paper significantly contributes to both the humanities and emerging AI ethics by challenging purely utilitarian or Western-centric models of reasoning. It promotes a more holistic, empathetic, and ecologically attuned ethical model rooted in the middle way of Buddhist philosophy. Furthermore, its literary analysis deepens our understanding of how narratives across cultures have grappled with questions of consciousness, agency, and moral responsibility—issues now central to AI development.
In an era increasingly shaped by intelligent machines and data-driven systems, this research fosters cross-cultural dialogue and urges a reevaluation of the values underpinning technological progress. Its interdisciplinary methodology provides a robust template for future studies that seek to integrate philosophical depth, ethical foresight, and literary imagination into the discourse on responsible AI.
About Author
Mrs. B. Padma Sree is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Science and Humanities. She holds a Master’s degree in English Literature and an M.Phil. Her academic and research interests lie prominently in literary analysis, narrative studies, and gender discourse in literature. In 2023, she presented a paper titled “Science and Humanities and Narrative Craftsmanship in Ruskin Bond’s Prose” at the International Conference on Advances in English Language Studies (ICAELS), organized by UEM, Jaipur, which is currently under processing for publication. Another significant contribution made by her in 2023 was the paper titled “The Voiceless Characters in the Selected Works of Ruskin Bond”, published in the RASTEMS Conference Proceedings (Paper ID: RASTEMS-20223-A02, ISBN: 978-81-966001-4-3, Page 48). In 2022, she presented a powerful gender-focused paper, “Rebel Against Patriarchal Hegemony in Susanna’s Seven Husbands”, at ICAELS, UEM Jaipur. Her work reflects a strong engagement with Indian English literature, particularly focusing on the nuanced character portrayals and gender dynamics within the works of Ruskin Bond and other Indian authors.
References
Primary Sources (Ruskin Bond’s Works)
1. Bond, Ruskin. A Handful of Nuts. Penguin Books, 1998.
2. Bond, Ruskin. The Sensualist. Penguin Books, 2001.
3. Bond, Ruskin. Susanna’s Seven Husbands. Penguin Books, 2011.
4. Bond, Ruskin. The Blue Umbrella. Rupa Publications, 1974.
5. Bond, Ruskin. Delhi Is Not Far. Penguin Books, 1994.
6. Bond, Ruskin. The Room on the Roof. Penguin Books, 1956.
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