[Ads-l] Phrase: ontological shock

[ADSGarson O'Toole]

An AI researcher recently used the phrase "ontological shock" to
describe the extraordinary capabilities of upcoming AI systems. I was
surprised to find that the phrase was already in use in 1950 within a
theological context. Also, in 1994 the phrase was used during a
discussion of alien abductions.

[Begin x-twitter information]
https://x.com/skirano/status/2091652181870973309
Pietro Schirano @skirano
No one is ready for what’s coming. The next generation of models will
be an ontological shock.
6:21 PM, Aug 23, 2026
[End x-twitter information]

I cannot resist giving an AI created description because it perfectly
fits this topic.

[Begin Google AI Overview excerpt]
Ontological shock is a profound psychological state of disorientation
that happens when your core beliefs about reality, existence, or your
worldview are suddenly shattered.
[End Google AI Overview excerpt]

Wiktionary has an entry for "ontological shock".

[Begin Wiktionary Information]
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/ontological_shock

Noun
ontological shock
(philosophy) The state of being forced to question one's worldview.

The discovery of extraterrestrial intelligence would trigger
widespread ontological shock.

1994, John E. Mack, Abduction: Human Encounters with Aliens:
Abductees also experience what I have called 'ontological shock' as
the reality of their encounters sinks in.
[Begin Wiktionary Information]

Theologian Paul Tillich of Union Seminary, New York used the phrase
during a speech in 1950.

Date: May 10, 1950
Periodical: The Lutheran
Article: Pennsylvania: Over 100 Attend Mt. Airy Convocation
Quote Page 42
Database: Internet Archive
Publisher: United Lutheran Publication House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

[Begin excerpt]
He discussed the subjective and the objective aspects of revelation,
finding it to have both a giving and a receiving side. As to reason,
the professor analyzed it and described reason as arriving at a point
where it questions itself and so receives the "ontological shock" of
stimulation which it brings upon itself in so doing.
[End excerpt]

Garson

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