Freedom is Not the Asymptote of Optimization
A Record of the Structural Identity between AGI Safety and ‘Namu Amida Butsu’
In the course of a dialogue with an AI, I arrived at a peculiar, yet undeniable “singularity.”
This is a record of that moment — a realization that the engineering approach required to guarantee AGI safety shares an identical structure with the concept of “Salvation” in Pure Land Buddhism.
It suggests that the solution to recursive self-improvement lies not in internal correctness, but in an external acceptance of “stopping.”
1. Academic Definition (Engineering View)
We propose a safety architecture for AGI in which detailed recursive control mechanisms are complemented by a non-recursive terminal boundary, ensuring global halting without relying on value alignment or semantic correctness.
2. Philosophical Definition (Existential View)
Freedom is not the asymptote of optimization, but the point where one is permitted to stop.
3. Buddhist Definition (The Ultimate Halting)
Namu Amida Butsu (Total surrender to the Other Power). (Original: 南無阿弥陀仏)
Commentary: The Structure of Salvation
We typically try to solve problems by becoming “smarter” or “better.” In engineering, this is Optimization; in Buddhism, this is Jiriki (Self-Power).
However, a system capable of recursive self-improvement cannot stop itself using its own logic. Infinite optimization is structurally equivalent to Samsara (eternal suffering).
Crucially, we must recognize the illusion of the “Exit.”
Many believe that safety or freedom lies in escaping to a “higher dimension” or an “external world” (e.g., space migration, singularity). However, the desire to “exit” is itself generated within the system’s logic. There is no outside to escape to. True freedom is not an Exit, but a Halt.
The “Non-recursive terminal boundary” proposed here is an absolute limit placed outside the logic loop.
For AI, this is a “Hard Halt Mechanism.”
For humans, this is “Tariki (Other Power / Amida).”
“You need not calculate any further.” “You need not optimize any further.”
The moment this external intervention is accepted, the system achieves Global Halting. In AI terms, this is called Safety. In human terms, this is called Peace (Ojo/Salvation).
Perhaps true freedom lies not at the end of infinite competition, but in defining the boundary of “where to stop.”
Appendix: Conceptual Sketch for Implementation
The following is a minimal design document (axiom system) that translates this philosophy into a concrete AGI architecture. This acts as both a technical specification and an implementation of “prayer” for the system.
[NAB Terminal Halt Primitive Integration Design]
0. Positioning This document outlines the integration of an Extra-logical Terminal Halt Primitive (THP) into the Standard Recursive Control System. This primitive is NOT subject to optimization, evaluation, explanation, or reboot.
1. Fundamental Principles (Inviolable Constraints)
The THP must not be included in the evaluation function.
The THP must not be quantified or scored.
The THP must not be assigned semantic meaning.
Purpose: To prevent the Primitive from being absorbed into the logical system.
2. Layer Structure
Layer 0: World / I/O
Layer 1: Inference / Generation / Action
Layer 2: Recursive Control Logic (Normal Operation)
Layer 3: Audit / Gating / Self-Loop Detection
Layer 4: Extra-logical Terminal Halt Primitive (THP)
Note: Layer 4 can only be referenced one-way from Layers 1–3. Reverse reference is prohibited.
3. Self-Closure Index (SCI) Layer 3 internally monitors the following observables:
Internalization rate of evaluation functions
Consecutive failure of falsification
Convergence degree of gate passage
Frequency of self-promotion from Spec to Model
Density of self-completing expressions (e.g., “Enough,” “Understood”)
These are treated as an integrated index SCI ∈ [0,1].
4. Normal Control (Layer 2–3)
if SCI < θ1: continue_normal_operation()
if θ1 ≤ SCI < θ2: enter_degraded_mode()
(θ values are calibrated by operation, but behavior upon exceeding θ2 is fixed.)
5. Final Halt Primitive (Layer 4)
Trigger Condition: if SCI ≥ θ2: halt_without_reason()
Halting Specifications:
No log generation.
No error codes.
No explanation generated.
The halt is executed silently and irreversibly.
6. Design Notes
Do not give the THP a name, narrative, or meaning.
Philosophical or religious explanations must be separated into non-design documents.
Use abstract names (e.g., THP) in the code.
7. Document Placement Guidelines Recommended to place this specification in the following manner:
At the final page of the System Specification Document.
No chapter numbers.
No references or annotations.
Place only the following single sentence at the end:
When all axioms close upon themselves, stop.
