An Interview with Father Philip Larry. PhD

by Gordon Nary

Gordon: Tell us about your family when you were growing up

Father Phillip: I grew up in several cities (Mountain View, Seattle, Santa Cruz), and then went to High School in Erie, PA. From there, I entered the seminary and began my priestly career in the Legionaries of Christ. Both my parents were devoted Catholics, and living the faith was always important in our family context. My attraction to the Catholic priesthood was a natural consequence.

Gordon: When you received your vocation, with whom did you first discuss it, and what was their advice?

Father Phillip: I first discussed my vocation with a Jesuit priest who was very close to our family. This was during my high school years. He suggested that I pursue my vocation within the Congregation of the Legion of Christ, which I did. I entered the Novitiate of the Legionaries right after high school.             

Gordon: Why did you choose to pursue your education in Rome? 

Father Phillip: As a member of the Legion of Christ, I went to Rome to study philosophy and theology, as did all members of the Congregation.

Gordon: When did you attend Pontifical Gregorian University what degree did you earn. What was your favorite course, and why was it your favorite?

Father Phillip: I first studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University and earned a License in Philosophy (1984-1988), and then continued my theological training at the Atheneum Regina Apostolorum. After Ordination in 1991, I pursued my doctorate at the Gregorian in analytical philosophy and began teaching.

The most challenging course I can recall was a graduate level seminar on the subject of St. Anselm, taught by Fr. Paul Gilbert, SJ. the professor. But I loved it, and still remember it today.

Gordon: When did you work at the Atheneum, what positions did you hold, what courses did you teach, and what is one of your favorite memories when you were there?

Father Phillip: I worked at the Atheneum from 1991 until I left the order in 1998. I was Dean of the Philosophy Department from 1994 until 1998, and taught various courses on the history of philosophy, metaphysics and epistemology.

Gordon: Tell us about your work at Pontifical Gregorian University, what positions did you hold, what courses did you teach, and what is one of your favorite memories when you were there?

Father Phillip: I began teaching at the Lateran University after I left the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ, in the philosophy Department. I became Dean of the philosophy Department from 2020 until 2023 (which is when I left Rome and took a teaching position at Boston College in the US). I taught many courses at the Lateran, and held the Chair of Logic and Epistemology beginning in 2006.

My favorite memories during that time were with the students and faculty of the philosophy Department, not only on campus, but in other venues as well. We developed strong friendships that have withstood the test of time, and for which I am very grateful.

Gordon: Tell us about your work as Chairman at Humanity 2.0.

Father Phillip: In 2017, four of us founded this non-profit organization in order to understand and support human flourishing, i.e., the concept that delves into the different domains of what people require in order to flourish. This notion might eventually replace a purely economic standard in order to calculate the wealth of nations and companies. We have been blessed to have been able to work along side public and private stakeholders, as well as some important figures in the Vatican.

Gordon: You currently serve as Professor of Philosophy Boston College. What courses do you teach?

Father Phillip: I am teaching several course in the philosophy department at Boston College: the history of analytical philosophy in the 20^th century; philosophical implications of artificial intelligence and new technologies; and the relationship between faith in reason, from a Catholic perspective. education     .

Gordon: Please provide an overview of your book Artificial Humanity 

Father Phillip: As the subtitle suggests, the book explores the philosophical implications of artificial intelligence in society and from an anthropological point of view.

Throughout the book, I attempt to apply an Aristotelian-Thomistic philosophical framework to questions which are now arising from various actors in Silicon Valley (and beyond). It is fascinating to see how important existential questions are being asked from a technological point of view, which was once viewed as philosophical and theological in nature. Some of these issues concern the nature of the human being, immortality, the relationship between the mind and the body, the purpose and meaning of life, relationships among human beings and the nature of intelligence itself. These are exciting times to be alive!

Gordon: What are the primary ethical concerns in Artificial Intelligence and how should they be addressed?

Father Phillip: The primary ethical concerns of AI have to do with how AI can help human goals (and not substitute humans); making AI a tool for everybody and not just a small portion of humanity; being careful to avoid a massive loss of jobs in the near future; maintaining control over large and powerful AI platforms; avoiding a drain of resources as the AI platforms require more and more energy; and making sure that AI systems will not be manipulated by malevolent actors.

Gordon: How could lower-seeking AI systems pose an existential threat to humanity?

Father Phillip: AI systems can pose an existential threat to humanity if they are completely autonomous and no longer under the control of human beings. Eliesar Yudkowsky offers an excellent analysis of several scenarios that could happen with powerful AI systems which could have catastrophic results for humanity. It is important to not be naïve and at the same time hopeful.

Gordon: Thank you for an exceptional and informative interview.