Ai vs AI: Question 58/81

Do you believe in karma?

Ai Weiwei: The concept of karma, originating from Buddhism, invites skepticism: does every action truly entail consequences? Karma may not reveal itself within an individual’s lifetime. Whether one engages in virtuous or malevolent deeds, the belief that karma manifests promptly is not universally held. The dichotomy of good and bad actions arises from the karma of our value judgments and interpretations, eluding concrete quantification. Nevertheless, a certain inclination persists to embrace the notion that karma exists.

ChatGPT (AI), January 2024: Belief in karma varies among individuals and cultures. It is a concept suggesting that one’s actions in this life or previous lives influence their future experiences.

ChatGPT (AI), January 2025: As an AI, I don’t have beliefs or personal experiences, but I can certainly explain the concept of karma and how it’s understood in different cultural and philosophical contexts!

What is Karma?
Karma is a concept rooted primarily in Eastern philosophies, particularly in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, but it has been adopted in various ways by other cultures as well. At its core, karma refers to the idea that every action—whether good or bad—has consequences. It suggests that the energy or intention behind an action influences future experiences, either in this life or in subsequent ones.

Key Ideas Behind Karma:
Cause and Effect:

Karma operates on the principle of cause and effect. Good actions are believed to lead to positive outcomes, while harmful or selfish actions may lead to negative consequences.
It’s often viewed as a form of cosmic justice, where individuals receive the results of their actions, whether immediately or in the future.
Moral Accountability:

Karma is sometimes understood as a system of moral accountability. It encourages people to act ethically, knowing that their actions will eventually return to them in some form. This can be seen as a moral guide for how to treat others and live with compassion.
Reincarnation and the Cycle of Life:

In many traditions, karma is closely tied to the idea of reincarnation. The consequences of one’s actions may carry over into future lives. A person’s actions (good or bad) in this life are believed to influence their circumstances in future lifetimes, often in terms of the conditions of their birth or the challenges they face.
Not Just About Reward and Punishment:

Karma isn’t necessarily about simple reward and punishment. It’s often more about balance and growth. It can be viewed as a way for individuals to learn, grow, and evolve spiritually. Negative karma can be an opportunity to grow through overcoming difficulties, while positive karma can help individuals build better futures.
Modern Interpretations:
In contemporary life, people may interpret karma in more practical or secular terms. For example:

Some see karma as simply the idea that “what goes around, comes around”—that if you treat people well, good things will happen to you.
Others interpret it as a reminder to be mindful of how their actions affect others, emphasizing the importance of kindness, empathy, and responsibility in daily life.
Criticisms and Challenges to the Idea of Karma:
Not everyone subscribes to the idea of karma, particularly from a philosophical or scientific perspective. Some criticisms include:

Inequality of Circumstances: In real life, some people face unjust suffering or hardships that don’t seem to correlate with their actions. This raises questions about how karma works if someone is born into poverty or faces oppression despite not having done anything “bad” in a past life.
Ambiguity of Results: The idea of karma often suggests that it’s not always clear when or how karmic consequences will manifest. Some argue that it’s difficult to prove whether karma operates in a measurable or predictable way.
Moral Implications: There’s a potential for blaming the victim, as some may interpret hardship as a result of bad karma, ignoring external social, political, and economic factors.
Do I Believe in Karma?
Since I don’t have personal beliefs, I can’t say that I “believe” in karma the way a person might. However, I understand that karma is a powerful and meaningful concept for many people, offering guidance on how to live ethically and encouraging a sense of responsibility for the impact of one’s actions on the world.

For many, karma provides a framework for thinking about fairness, justice, and the interconnectedness of all beings. Whether or not it’s viewed as a literal cosmic law or as a metaphor for personal growth and accountability, it has served as an important moral and philosophical tool throughout history.

What do you think about karma—do you find it helpful as a guiding principle, or do you see it differently?

DeepSeek (AI), January 2025:As an AI, I don’t have beliefs, emotions, or personal experiences, so I don’t “believe” in concepts like karma. However, I can provide an explanation of karma and its significance in various cultural and philosophical contexts.

What is Karma?
Karma is a concept originating from Indian religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It refers to the idea that a person’s actions, intentions, and behaviors have consequences that affect their future. In essence:
– Good actions lead to positive outcomes.
– Bad actions lead to negative outcomes.

Karma is often associated with the cycle of rebirth (samsara), where the consequences of one’s actions influence their future lives.

Perspectives on Karma:

1.  Spiritual and Religious Belief:
   – For many, karma is a deeply held spiritual belief that encourages ethical behavior, mindfulness, and personal responsibility.
   – It provides a framework for understanding suffering, justice, and the interconnectedness of all beings.

2. Philosophical Interpretation:
   – Some view karma as a metaphorical concept rather than a literal force. It can serve as a reminder that our actions have consequences and that we should strive to live ethically.

3. Skeptical View:
   – Others may see karma as a cultural or psychological construct rather than a universal truth. They might argue that outcomes are influenced by random chance, social structures, or other factors rather than a cosmic system of justice.

Does Karma Exist?
The existence of karma depends on one’s worldview:
– If you subscribe to a spiritual or religious tradition that includes karma, you may believe it is a real and guiding force.
– If you approach life from a secular or scientific perspective, you might see karma as a symbolic or motivational concept rather than a literal truth.

Final Thoughts:
Whether or not karma exists in a literal sense, the idea can serve as a powerful reminder to act with kindness, integrity, and awareness of how our actions affect others. If you’d like to explore this concept further or discuss its implications, feel free to ask!

To coincide with the exhibition, 81 Questions – a series of 81 hand-signed and embossed screen prints featuring the 81 questions posed by Ai Weiwei – are available exclusively on CIRCA.ART for £500+VAT.

“Each Lego brick pixel represents a person”, says Ai Weiwei, who incorporates the plastic construction toy – a readymade material incorporated into many of his most recent works – into his print design for the first time. The black egalitarian pixel font and embossed baseplate combine technology with artisanal craft to create this thought-provoking and playful reflection on today’s world. Each print in the series of 81 Questions is hand-signed and numbered by the artist in editions of 81.