META-SUBJECTIVE NATURE OF COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE: ONTOLOGICAL ANALYSIS
А. I. Zhelnin
Perm State National Research University, Perm, Russia
e-mail: antonzhelnin@gmail.com
Abstract. The article discusses issues related to the phenomenon of collective intelligence (CI). The relevance lies in the need to analyze the nature and status of CI, causes, mechanisms and consequences of its formation. The aim of the article is to critically analyze the main approaches to CI, to reveal its essence and subjective status. The research uses such methods as analysis and synthesis, general logical and systemic methods, methods of dialectics and synergetics. It is shown that unlike a purely technocratic approach, which mixes CI with the concepts of artificial intelligence (AI), neural networks, big data, etc., it can be understood in a purely humanistic way as an integral net of human minds. In view of the key role in it of the higher and actually human manifestations of consciousness (not only purely rational, but also non-rational), we can talk about the fundamental unartification of CI, the impossibility of identifying it with artificial intelligence (AI). As a synergy of a large number of human intelligences, it will apparently acquire emergent properties, expressed in the manifold increased intelligibility of its activity (if intelligence is understood as a sum of abilities aimed at successful adaptation and problem solving/decision-making). Special emergentism will be possessed by its goal-setting, which may not completely coincide with the partial goals of individuals. Being the unity of the latters, it, nevertheless, will not dissolve them and their personal consciousnesses in itself as a totality, since it will function according to distributed network principles and assume a system of «subject-subject» connections. In an optimistic scenario, CI is able to translate the development of civilization into a new, controlled format, resolving global problems which are beyond the ability of local actors. Although the elements of control and coercion from CI are quite possible, it won’t turn into force that becomes objectifying for individuals because it will consist of them. The people themselves, their diverse groups and communities remain subjects and the CI will become subject that is just more intelligently potent and fractal in its nature, a meta-subject.
Key words: mind, consciousness, intelligence, collective intelligence, collective mind, artificial intelligence, subject, meta-subject, development, government, civilization.
Cite as: Zhelnin, A. I. (2021) [Meta-subjective nature of collective intelligence: ontological analysis]. Intellekt. Innovatsii. Investitsii [Intellect. Innovations. Investments]. Vol. 5, pp. 91–103. DOI: 10.25198/2077-7175-2021-5-91.
