The Influence of John Locke’s Primary and Secondary Qualities on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Systems

Abstract

This research examines the influence of Locke's primary and secondary attributes on artificial 
intelligence (AI) systems. It is also attempts to examine the underlying philosophy of Locke’s 
primary and secondary qualities as they relate to ideas in AI. The ideas are perceived to be 
analogous in principle to those found in artificial intelligence. In his theory of knowledge regarding 
primary and secondary qualities, Locke maintains that all objects possess specific characteristics 
that can be classified into two groups: primary and secondary qualities. Primary qualities are 
inherent to the object, and they include aspects such as shape, size, and position. These 
characteristics are deemed objective according to Locke, as they are regarded similarly by all. In 
contrast, secondary qualities are the traits that the observer attributes to the object, including taste, 
colour, scent and texture. These qualities are subjective since individuals do not share identical 
preferences or olfactory senses. This study utilizes the qualitative method in the form of a review 
of existing literature to investigate the impact of Locke’s primary and secondary qualities on AI 
systems. Starting with the function of empirical data and the differentiation between primary and 
secondary qualities, the study assesses how AI dependence on extensive datasets, machine learning 
techniques, and neural network architectures corresponds with Locke's secondary qualities. It 
further explores the knowledge-based status of AI produced inputs and outputs concerning 
reliability, trustworthiness, and biases present in training data. The paper argues that there exists a 
convergence between Locke’s philosophy and the operation of AI.