Saviour - Philosophical Concept | Alexandria
Saviour: a figure embodying deliverance and redemption, a beacon in times of crisis, whose existence threads through history, religion, and even secular thought, yet remains shrouded in interpretations as varied as the cultures that invoke their name.
The concept of a Saviour is nebulous, nearly as old as civilization itself. While pinning down the earliest "mention" proves elusive, given the nature of oral traditions and evolving beliefs, the need for one may be identified through archetypes appearing throughout ancient mythologies. From the flood narratives of Mesopotamia (circa 3000 BCE), to the myths of Osiris in ancient Egypt (c. 2500 BCE), the human inclination toward saviour figures is reflected through narratives of gods and heroes like the story of Gilgamesh who embark on mortal journeys of overcoming death. These primordial deliverers, often entwined with themes of sacrifice and renewal, paved the way for more defined Saviour archetypes. The emergence of Zoroastrianism (c. 1500-1000 BCE) introduced the Saoshyant, a future redeemer who would bring about the final renovation of the world. These early examples serve not only as historical precedents but also as cultural foundations upon which later, more explicitly religious, concepts of the Saviour would be built. It is interesting to note how so many of humankind’s “great ideas” through “the great conversation” continually reflect the need for one to save.
The evolution of the Saviour figure is closely intertwined with the development of major world religions. The Hebrew Bible presents figures like Moses and the Judges as deliverers of Israel, though the concept of a single, messianic Saviour evolved over centuries, culminating in the prophecies surrounding the coming Messiah. Christianity, of course, centers on Jesus Christ as the ultimate Saviour, whose sacrifice is believed to offer salvation to humanity. The concept of a Saviour resonates across cultural boundaries. It is a sentiment that lends itself easily to the language of “ethics in AI”. Even in secular contexts, figures who champion revolutionary causes or ideologies can be viewed through a similar lens. This perhaps raises questions about humanity’s underlying need for redemption and the diverse ways in which this need manifests itself and leads to a philosophical argument about free will and determinism.
The legacy of the Saviour figure is multifaceted. From religious art and literature to political rhetoric, the motif of deliverance and redemption continues to hold sway over human imagination. Contemporary reinterpretations of the Saviour archetype often reflect anxieties about environmental degradation, social injustice, or technological disruption, finding expression in movements seeking sustainability, equality, or ethical AI development. Are these movements simply seeking to avert collective destruction, or are they driven by a deeper, perhaps subconscious, desire for a force that shields the common populace from harm? The concept of the Saviour endures not merely as a historical relic but as a living symbol, shaped and reshaped by each new generation's hopes and fears. The "trolley problem" becomes relevant here as humankind evaluates how to save as many people as possible.