David Shih

Papers

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About

David Shih’s research bridges the seemingly disparate worlds of continental philosophy and artificial intelligence, with a singular focus on how robotic systems can be understood as subjects of experience rather than mere objects of analysis. His most influential work, “Hegelian Phenomenology and Robotics” (2011), draws on Hegel’s *Phenomenology of Spirit* to propose a formal framework where a robot interprets its own sensory data as meaningful. Shih argues that meaningful experience in robots arises when present sensible input is integrated into a self-referential, developmental process—a radical departure from conventional AI paradigms. Though this paper has garnered 6 citations, its impact lies in its conceptual ambition, opening new dialogues between phenomenology and robotics. Shih’s work challenges engineers and philosophers alike to reconsider the boundaries of consciousness and agency, suggesting that machines might one day possess a form of selfhood. His contributions remain a provocative touchstone for researchers exploring the intersection of Hegelian thought and embodied cognition.