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what practical steps does 'subduing the earth' imply for ethical ai development and deployment?

Adds the setting and its conversation across both testaments.

Genesis 1:28

“God blessed them. God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.””

This verse is part of the creation narrative in Genesis, specifically after the creation of humanity (male and female) on the sixth day. It conveys God's initial blessing and commission to humans regarding their role within the created world.

What responsibilities does 'subduing' imply for our use of powerful new technologies like AI?

Then — the setting

The book of Genesis was likely compiled and edited over centuries, with its final form taking shape during or after the Babylonian exile (6th-5th century BCE). The command to 'subdue' (כבש, kabash) and 'rule' (רדה, radah) was given to a people whose relationship with the land was fundamental to their identity and survival. This was not a license for exploitation but a call to active cultivation, ordering, and wise management, transforming a wild world into a habitable, productive one. It implies bringing forth potential and maintaining order, much like a good king rules a kingdom, ensuring its well-being rather than merely extracting its resources.

Across the Testaments

In the Old Testament, this passage establishes humanity's unique role as God's representatives on earth, tasked with ordering and caring for creation. The New Testament, particularly through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, reframes this stewardship within the context of the Fall and redemption. While the original mandate isn't directly rescinded, it's now understood through the lens of Jesus's servanthood and love. Stewardship of creation becomes an act of discipleship, reflecting God's own care for the world, rather than solely a dominion over it. This often means prioritizing the vulnerable and seeking restoration, both human and ecological, rather than simply asserting control.

Keep thinking

Read alongside it

Psalm 8:4-8
This psalm echoes the theme of humanity's exalted, yet stewardly, place in creation.
Proverbs 3:5-6
This passage encourages trusting in wisdom and guidance beyond human understanding in all endeavors, which applies to new technologies.
Micah 6:8
This verse summarizes God's requirement for humanity: to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly, which shapes how we 'subdue' and rule.

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