This article introduces Kazuo Ishiguro's novel "Clara and the Sun" and explores ethical dilemmas in the post human era from the perspective of the artificial intelligence robot Clara. The novel is set in the future, with mature artificial intelligence technology. Clara accompanies Josie as an artificial friend and discovers that Josie is suffering from a terminal illness. Clara sees healing Josie as her mission, but in the end Josie recovers, while Clara looks back on her experience at the garbage dump. The novel suggests that Josie may be replaced by artificial intelligence, and Clara's narrative is unreliable. Kazuo Ishiguro expresses profound reflections on ethical issues in the post human era through his novels, including ethical dilemmas such as the development of artificial intelligence, subjectivity, and human enhanced technology.

Artificial Intelligence Issues in the Posthuman Era

Discussed the issue of artificial intelligence in the post human era, including the different connotations of post humanism, transhumanism, and post humanism. Post humanism advocates for the transformation and enhancement of humans through technological means, breaking through physiological limitations and enhancing human abilities. Transhumanism emphasizes the characteristics of transcending humanism, focusing on changes in physical aspects such as the body and physiology. Post humanism criticizes traditional humanism and advocates equality between individuals, between humans and animals and plants, between humans and post humans, and between humans and all individuals in ecosystems. Kazuo Ishiguro's "Clara and the Sun" is set in a post human society with advanced technology, the entry of artificial intelligence robots into households, and the widespread application of human enhancement technologies such as gene editing. There is controversy in the academic community over the development of artificial intelligence, with some concerned about its loss of control and rebellion, while others believe that it will make humanity lose its humanity. Post humanists welcome the development of artificial intelligence, believing it to be the best template for anti anthropocentrism and breaking binary oppositions.

2. Occupational substitution and subjectivity of artificial intelligence

Kazuo Ishiguro's novel "Clara and the Sun" explores the replacement of human professions by the development of artificial intelligence in the post human era and the issue of artificial intelligence subjectivity. In the novel, artificial intelligence not only replaces low-end jobs, but also begins to surpass humans in creative fields such as literature and art. German philosopher G ü nter Anders described the shame and fear of being replaced by artificial intelligence created by humans. A study by Oxford University shows that about 47% of jobs in the United States are at high risk of being replaced by computers. Princeton University's "Occupational AI Exposure Index" indicates that after the application of large-scale language models in 2023, many high-level intellectuals and mental workers are also at risk of being replaced. In the novel, Clara's father undergoes a dramatic change in life after being replaced by robots, reflecting the reality of a large number of laborers being replaced by robots. Kazuo Ishiguro is concerned about how to address issues such as unemployment, class inequality, poverty, violent incidents, and class and race problems. The novel also addresses the question of whether artificial intelligence has subjectivity. The "mind uploading technique" explored by transhumanists is reflected in the novel, where Josie's mother attempts to prolong Josie's life through similar techniques. Clara, as an artificial intelligence, although created for companionship, also has subjectivity and should be respected by humans, not enslaved, abused, or abused. However, in the novel, humans completely ignore Clara's subjectivity and rights for their own purposes, using her only as a tool, ultimately leading to her abandonment.

Human Enhancement Technologies in the Posthuman Era

Explored the application and ethical dilemmas of human enhanced technology in the post human era. Human enhancement technology is divided into physical, physiological, and genetic material levels, involving brain computer interfaces, neural enhancement drugs, and gene enhancement technology. These technologies have sparked ethical controversies, including issues of differentiation between enhancement and treatment, autonomy, equality, authenticity, and humanity. In his novel, Kazuo Ishiguro expresses his concerns about the potential issues of equality, autonomy, and humanity that may arise from human enhancement technology through two methods of gene editing and mind uploading. Gene editing may bring individual and social risks, alter human nature, and widen the wealth gap. The tragedy caused by Josie's gene editing in the novel reflects the issue of lack of autonomy. Both Kazuo Ishiguro and Fukuyama believe that human enhanced technology may make humans lose their humanity and become creatures without emotions or beliefs. The novel portrays the ethical dilemma of human enhanced technology in the post human era, reminding us to approach the development of this technology with caution.

The ethical dilemma of the post human era

Explored Kazuo Ishiguro's portrayal of ethical dilemmas in the post human era in "Clara and the Sun". The novel portrays the ethical dilemmas of gene editing in post human society and its unpredictable outcomes through Josie's mother's genetic editing decisions. Kazuo Ishiguro delved into the theme of "human heart" through his novels, revealing the complexity of human heart, including personality traits, emotions, and human nature. Clara, as a robot, attempts to understand the human heart, but ultimately discovers its unfathomable depth. The profound analysis of human heart and nature in the novel has led critics to generally consider it a dystopian novel, as it reveals the dark side of human nature. Josie's mother chose selfishness in the name of love when faced with ethical choices, while Josie's father chose the former in the ethical dilemma of continuing his daughter's life and respecting Clara's life. Josie's choice between robot friends and human friends also reflects concerns about human nature changes in the post human era.

5 Conclusion

The concerns and fears of contemporary society towards technological progress, privacy breaches, intelligent technology surpassing humans, and the challenges posed by human enhanced technology to the traditional definition of humans. The arrival of the post human era has triggered thoughts and expectations for future civilization. Conservatives and posthumanists hold different attitudes towards the post human era. Kazuo Ishiguro expressed his concerns about the post human era in "Clara and the Sun", which is similar to the conservative stance, focusing on human nature and the human situation, and holding a pessimistic attitude towards human enhanced technology. Meanwhile, Kazuo Ishiguro believes that the widespread application of artificial intelligence is inevitable, and that humans should value the subjectivity of intelligent machines, which is similar to the views of post humanists.