Document Type
Article
Abstract
There is much in Jonathan Barlow’s piece that resonates with me. I appreciated how he cites some seminal thinkers like Neil Postman, Jacques Ellul, E.F. Schumacher, and Ivan Illich as he frames his argument. In particular, I think Barlow is insightful in identifying the pitfall of “commensurability” when comparing humans and AI in terms of performance. I am reminded of the words of the famous computer scientist Edsgar Dijkstra, who suggested that the question as to whether machines can think is about as relevant as the question of whether “submarines can swim.”
Publication Date
8-13-2026
Recommended Citation
Schuurman, Derek, "AI and the Danger of Ontological Confusion" (2026). University Faculty Publications and Creative Works. 1139.
https://digitalcommons.calvin.edu/calvin_facultypubs/1139