Smita Datta
Associate Professor, EIILM - Kolkata
Email: smitadatta16@gmail.com
Supriya Paul
Assistant Professor and Chief Administrative Officer, EIILM - Kolkata
Email: supriya.paul@eiilm.co.in
Mitali Sengupta*
Associate Professor, EIILM - Kolkata
Email: drmitalisengupta.eiilm@gmail.com
*Corresponding Author
JEL Classification: O3 https://doi.org/10.65176/IJLM.V2I1.15
Abstract
The sudden dominance of machines and artificial intelligence has led to a profound debate regarding the future of humanity, with specific reference to human value. It often considers productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness to be at the centre stage and overlooks dignity and ethics in the process. This research article conceptually attempts to reframe the ongoing discourse on technology and technological innovation, which is considered to be of paramount importance. It logically builds an argument on the prioritisation of human values over the paradigms of machine-centric anthropological activities, in the backdrop of the philosophical depth provided by the Asian fundamental value system, coupled with the solid foundation of wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita. This study, while positioning itself within the broader framework of Asianism, puts forward the concept of “New Humanity”, which is anchored to the ideals of fraternity, equality, and freedom.
The review of literature from scholarly articles, policy documents, and texts put forward by classical philosophers, this article develops a theoretical model where Asian traditions provide a counterbalance to the mechanistic worldly viewpoints. The human-centred society is laid down on the strong ethical foundations given by the teachings of Srimad Bhagavad Gita, where “Samatvam Yoga Uchyate” or equanimity as equality and balance through yoga, “Atmaupamyena sarvatra” or igniting the path of equality, universal empathy as fraternity as well as “Svadharma” or self-realised duty as freedom. These values have often been found to be contrasted with Westernised rationality emphasising technology, which follows the discourse of reducing human beings into economic units or mere algorithmic functions with predictive outcomes.
Various findings on Asian humanism have successfully provided a sustainable pathway filled with compassion, balance, moral responsibility, and discourse on technology. This new model is based on the foundation that machines serve as important instruments of service, whereas humans remain ethical decision makers and co-creators of a progressive society that balances technology and human values. The current framework not only challenges the post-humanism notion but also positions Asian values as the moral compass of civilisation.
This paper concludes with the philosophy that the novel design of humanity is propelled not only by technological supremacy, where tools and machines forward the final verdict, but also by value supremacy that returns to the basic foundations of human values to uphold dignity, freedom, equity, and unity. Such reorientation through Asian values of human psychology shall lay strong foundations in the future emerging digital era, where technology is to be demarcated as a service provider and not the ultimate master of human value.
Keywords: Asianism, Technology, Human Values, Bhagavat Gita, Equality, Fraternity, Freedom
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