Iconic Self

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A01=Sijia Wang
anthropomorphic
Author_Sijia Wang
Category=QRAM1
Category=QRVG
Category=UYQ
Chat GPT
companionship
Coppilot
eq_bestseller
eq_computing
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
exclusion
forthcoming
Gemini
Iconic self
mimicry
nonhuman
objectification
othering
otherness
robotics
social isolation
special
subjective gaze

Product details

  • ISBN 9780567727435
  • Dimensions: 156 x 234mm
  • Publication Date: 26 Nov 2026
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
  • Publication City/Country: GB
  • Product Form: Hardback
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Is it still reasonable to believe in human uniqueness in the age of human-like AI and robots? This book provides an affirmative answer by defending our human uniqueness through inclusive human relationality, with a reference to the imago Dei.

As relational creatures, we may feel deeply related to and connected with artificial entities. However, does this relation with machines qualify as a social relation or is it simply a relation with the shadow of ourselves? This book explores these topics by offering an interdisciplinary analysis of various relations that we have with artificial entities, complemented by multiple case studies.

Wang deftly explains why human-like AI and robots cannot be considered as social “others”, through a phenomenological and theological understanding of alterity and human selfhood. Instead, this book offers an “iconic self” theory, drawing from a reading of Jean-Luc Marion. Ultimately, Wang expresses concern towards anthropomorphism in AI and robots, not as a natural tendency of the human mind, but as a human limitation in creating “idol” images of ourselves in AI and robots.

To embrace our limitation as humans, we, ironically, need to embrace the incomprehensibility of our humanity.

Sijia Wang recently completed their PhD in Theology & Religion at the University of Birmingham, UK.

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