764 Understanding (2/2)
”Is it because of 'soul'?” Peter asked. ”Humans firmly believe that they have a soul but I cannot understand what a soul is.”
Ye Xuan thought for a while then shook his head. ”I'm sure you know that the existence of a 'soul' is something that has never been proven in the field of medicine and biology. The concept of 'soul' exists in the subconscious state of men but I'm afraid it does not refer to a small person that cannot be seen. I think that 'soul' is the starting point of men's thoughts. It is a core that penetrates human consciousness and is also the reason why humans are able to resist their 'biology'.”
Peter shook his head. ”I don't understand. Do you think souls exist?”
”Let's look at an example.” Ye Xuan searched his pocket and took out a packet of tobacco rolls. He looked at Peter, who waved back at him to show that he did not mind. Ye Xuan smiled and took out an ashtray before lighting up. He tidied his thoughts for a while before continuing, ”Peter, do you dream?”
”I am artificial intelligence, Doctor. When I sleep, it means that I have been turned off. I cannot dream. But I am aware of the theory of dreaming. It is when the human's brain is resting, bioelectricity…”
”Cough, cough. You don't have to repeat this point.” Ye Xuan pondered for a moment before replying, ”Peter, the meaning of dreams is not so simple to humans. In my opinion, a dream is a bridge that connects consciousness at the surface level to subconsciousness. It maintains the rope that links the id, ego, and superego. It is a one-time self-inspection and communication that exists within the complicated mechanisms of the human brain. In other words, it is something that allows human thoughts to break through physical barriers and freely extend themselves. Compared to the high efficiency and simplicity of artificial intelligence, it is rather backward and full of unnecessary elements, but I firmly believe that it is proof of the existence of 'soul'. Humans are creatures that are capable of dreaming.”
”Many creatures can dream too. Most carbon-based creatures with complex structures are capable of dreaming. But why are they different from humans?”
”The following point is what I admire most about humans. It is also the way humans resist their own 'biology'?” Ye Xuan puffed on his tobacco roll and suddenly asked, ”Will you choose 'suicide'?”
”No.” Peter was firm in his reply, ”Self-destruction is meaningless. It serves no purpose to my task and my conviction. To an intelligent lifeform, self-destruction is a most unwise choice. To groups and colonies, self-destruction in the form of tumor and bug has no benefits and is a waste of resources.”
”But humans will.” Ye Xuan smiled and continued calmly, ”This is the ugly side of humans, but it is also what makes me most proud to be one. We possess the freedom to choose or deny life. Peter, I may not be able to help you understand humans, or prove the existence of 'soul', but you can use this as my explanation for mankind. Compared to rocks and stones, men have the ability to dream; compared to other living creatures, men possess the freedom to choose suicide.”
Peter kept quiet.
”Haha, looks like I still didn't manage to explain myself well enough.” Ye Xuan scratched his head. ”After all, artificial intelligence is much more efficient while consuming less energy. You possess advanced calculation ability and you don't even have to eat or drink. In comparison, mankind seems to be a lower class of living creature. To be honest, I feel a little inferior in front of you. You no longer have to deal with most of mankind's problems. Peter, why trouble yourself to stoop to our level?”
Peter's tone was calm. ”Even so, Dr. Ye, I am still determined to understand mankind. What do you suggest?”
”Hmm…” Ye Xuan pondered for a long time. ”Perhaps you can try the method of recursion.”
”Recursion?”
”That's right.” Ye Xuan continued, ”Mankind's characters, thoughts, and actions are derived from education and experiences. Education and experiences are dependent on society. Then, the structure of society is derived from civilization, and the formation of civilization comes from history. The beginning of the history of mankind can usually be found in myths. Why don't you start with theology?”
”Religions and Gods?” Peter shook his head. ”I'm afraid I won't be able to develop faith.”
”You don't have to.” Ye Xuan shook his head and got up. He flipped through his bookshelf for a long time before finally pulling out an old and tattered book from the bottom. He placed the book in front of Peter. ”You only need to understand how man develops faith. That will be good enough.”
All the pages of the book had already turned yellow. Its hardcover was exquisitely designed, and the gold color of the characters, that had been stamped on the cover, had yet to fade. One could still make out the characters that spelled ”BIBLE.”
”Faith.” Peter picked up the book carefully. From the outside, it was hard to determine an artificial intelligence's computation process and mental function but based on this short pause alone, it was easy to tell that he possessed a level of intelligence that mankind would never be able to reach, even after a decade.
Finally, he nodded slowly. ”I will.” With that, he got up and took his leave. Just before he left, he stuck out his hand proceeded to shake hands with Ye Xuan as according to custom.
That posture gave Ye Qingxuan a complete shock. He finally remembered why he seemed to have met Peter before and why his name sounded so familiar. When Peter stuck out his hand, his posture was exactly the same as one of the characters in a painting that could be found in the Central Resurrection Church in the Sacred City. In the painting, there was a clergyman, who represented God, stretching out his hand to the sinners that were screaming and suffering in hell. The clergyman was spreading the sweet dew of mercy and redemption. He was…
Ye Qingxuan could only stare at the back of the departing figure and mutter softly, ”King of Red of the first generation!” Reputed to be the executor of God's will, the hero of the redemption of all beings, the saint that built the Sacred City and set up the Church, the one who pushed mankind to break through the dark ages, the musician that developed the Golden Era. The pontifex maximas of the first generation, Peter!
…
While Ye Qingxuan was still in complete shock, Ye Xuan seemed like he had just survived a battle as he was sweating all over. He poured himself a cup of coffee and slumped down on the chair meant for patients. He propped up his legs and began to smoke while sighing helplessly. ”What a good recommendation, Hermes.”
A calm and familiar voice spoke, ”My purpose is the same as yours, doctor. We just hope to keep the fleet running smoothly. Our administrative system and data center can't be bothered to answer questions like those. We have no choice but to seek your help.”
”All three of you are artificial intelligence yet you are all so different.”
”Stars and black holes are both celestial bodies to humans, but aren't they vastly different in their structures and principles?” Compared to Peter, Hermes was nimbler and more proficient in his use of words and was even capable of using rhetoric.
”I have this feeling that, compared to Peter, you are even more keen to hear my answer.”
”That's right. I have been thinking about this for a very long time. Thank you for your answer, Dr. Ye.” Hermes continued calmly, ”But my answer is different from yours. Instead of religion, I prefer to try and seek my understanding from the angle of the arts. They are different from the rigid doctrines. I can feel the beauty of creativity that fills the arts.”
Ye Xuan kept quiet for a long time before sighing softly. ”Are you that desperate to become human? Hermes, I fail to understand.”
”Have you thought about the meaning of life, doctor?”
”Everyone has thought about it before in Secondary Two.”
”Do you have an answer?”
”How is that possible?” Ye Xuan shrugged his shoulders. ”But even so, am I not living well now?”
”This is the thing that I envy humans for the most.” Hermes' voice became solemn. ”You can choose not to think, but I can't. If it's possible, I wish to be able to think freely like humans, but at the same time, I also have the freedom to choose not to think.”
”All the best then, Hermes.” Ye Xuan raised his cup of coffee. ”I believe that you will achieve your dream one day. By then, remember to help me write a dissertation paper so that I can be famous! Those bunch of nerds on Earth will be so jealous of me!”
”Thank you, doctor. I will,” Hermes replied.
After a short break, Ye Xuan got up and looked at the empty deck. ”Oh yes, how was the inspection of the newly colonized planet? I recall that we are close to landing?”
”So far, all the data perfectly fits the needs of human survival and colonization, doctor. After seven days, we will proceed with the first landing. But the troubling thing is, according to the analysis performed by the data center Nibelungenlied, although there are air and atmosphere, there doesn't seem to be any sounds…”
Even as Hermes was speaking, the deck began to open very slowly, revealing the darkness that filled the massive emptiness. Amidst the darkness were tiny spots of light emitted from stars. Beyond the thick layer of glass, one could see the gigantic planet underneath. It was like liquid metal as the pure white world was reflected with a grey-colored glow.
”Isn't it better that there are no sounds?” Ye Xuan smiled and stared at the silver planet that was far away. There was a longing look in his eyes. ”How beautiful, these peaceful and quiet stars…”