DOCSLIB.ORG

The Philosophy of Transhumanism

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Philosophy of Transhumanism DESIGN OF TRANSHUMAN SYSTEMS The Philosophy of Transhumanism Spring 2019 University Wide Arts Studies 1. Context 2. Approach to technology 3. Values 4. Influences 5. Currents 6. Debate 7. References -1- CONTEXT 1.1 Definitions Transhumanism is a class of philosophies of life that seek the continuation and acceleration of the evolution of intelligent life beyond its currently human form and human limitations by means of science and technology, guided by life-promoting principles and values. More, 1990 1.1 Definitions Image source: http://www.dieweltistwasgemachtes.de/transhuman/ 1.2 Philosophical roots Humanism - Human at the center. - Focus on self-improvement, not only through education and culture but also by technological means. Image source: http://hplusmagazine.com/2013/12/02/do-we- need-to-redefine-the-human-subject/ 1.2 Philosophical roots Enlightement Emphasis on: • Progress • Reason • Technology • Scientific method Image source: https://www.bl.uk/restoration-18th-century- literature/articles/the-enlightenment 1.3 Early works Haldane, J. B. S. (1924). Daedalus or Bernal, J. D. (1929). The world, the flesh Science and the Future (pp. 63-65). and the devil: An enquiry into the future New York: EP Dutton. of the three enemies of the rational soul. Verso Books. 1.4 Relevant authors M. Minsky H. Moravec N. Bostrom K. Warwick FM -2030 MIT Carnegie Mellon Univ. Future of Humanity Inst. Univ. of Reading F. Tipler M. More D. Pearce R. Kurzweil N. Vita-More Tulane Univ. Extropy Inst. Humanity+ Google Strategic designer -2- APPROACH TO TECHNOLOGY 2.1 Techno-convergence Convergence of NBIC technologies: • Nanotechnology • Biotechnology • Information technology • Cognitive science Image source: http://hplusmagazine.com/2010/02/12/nano-bio- info-cogno-paradigm-future/ 2.2 Techno-development Moore’s Law was formulated by G. Moore, who claimed that the number of transistors in an integrated circuit doubles every 18 months. Image author: ourworldindata.org 2.3 Views of technology Main views of technology (based on Feenberg, 2003): Autonomous Humanly controlled Neutral Determinism Instrumentalism Value-laden Substantivism Critical theory 2.3 Views of technology In transhumanism, an instrumental view of technology prevails: • Technological progress is always positive. • Stress on efficiency and effectiveness. • Technologies are considered neutral. • Technological outcomes depend on how technology is used. -3- VALUES 3.1 Values Core values Exploring the posthuman realm Basic conditions Derivative values Global security Technological progress • Tampering with nature Wide access • Morphological freedom • Peace, international cooperation • Improving understanding • Getting smarter • Philosophical fallibilism • Pragmatism; engineering- and entrepreneur-spirit; science • Diversity • Caring about the well-being of all sentience Based on Bostrom, N. • Saving lives https://nickbostrom.com/ethics/values.html -4- INFLUENCES 4.1 Posthumanism Philosophy that expands the focus to the non-human realm in post- dualistic, post-hierarchical modes, thus allowing one to envision post-human futures which will radically stretch the boundaries of human imagination. Ferrando, 2013 4.2 Technological singularity “Within thirty years, we will have the technological means to create superhuman intelligence. Shortly after, the human era will be ended. “ Vinge, 1933 4.3 Future studies • Focused on the systematic study of the future. • Aim to discover, propose, examine and evaluate possible, probable, and preferable futures. Bell, W. (2009). Foundations of Futures Studies: History, Purposes, Knowledge. Volume I: Human Science for a New Era. Transaction Publishers 4.4 Self-modification Modifications that add to a person’s capacities and help to overcome biological barriers. Russ foxx – body modification artist Image source: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4507741/mediaviewer/rm2551977984 4.5 Longevism ”Extension of the human lifespan and life expectancy within the limit of the opportunities increasingly offered by biological and physical sciences" Italian Transhumanist Manifesto, 2008 Image source: https://www.longevity.international/ -5- CURRENTS 5 Currents SURVIVALIST SINGULARITA- HEDONISTIC EXTROPIANISM RIANISM IMPERATIVE TRANSHUMANISM 5.1 Extropianism Principles of extropy: - Perpetual progress - Self-transformation - Practical optimism - Intelligent technology - Open society - Self-direction - Rational thinking Max More Image source: https://lifeboat.com/ex/the.principles.of.extropy 5.2 Singularitarianism The transition to a posthuman world will be a sudden event in the “medium future” - a Technological Singularity created by runaway machine superintelligence. Ray Kurzweil Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jdlasica/271056457 5.3 Hedonistic imperative Abolition of suffering in all conscious life, via ”paradise engineering” and nanotechnology. David Pearce Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/malvpics/20613166165 5.4 Survivalist transhumanism Emphasis on personal survival and longevity. “Death must be conquered… that is my first and foremost aim in life. That is the quintessential first goal of the transhumanist.” Istvan 2013 Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transhumanism -6- DEBATE 6 Debate TECHNO-PROGRESSISTS BIO-CONSERVATISTS 6.1 Techno-progressivism “We call for dramatically expanded governmental research into anti- aging therapies, and universal access to those therapies as they are developed in order to make much longer and healthier lives accessible to everybody. We believe that there is no distinction between “therapies” and “enhancement.” Technoprogressive declaration, Transvision 2014 6.2 Bio-conservatism Threat to equality If we start transforming ourselves into something superior, what rights will these enhanced creatures claim, and what rights will they possess when compared to those left behind? If some move ahead, can anyone afford not to follow? Fukuyama, 2004 Francis Fukuyama Image source: https://bit.ly/2BRuSwi References Bell, W. (2009). Foundations of Futures Studies: History, Purposes, Knowledge. Volume I: Human Science for a New Era. Transaction Publishers. Bernal, J. D. (1929). The world, the flesh and the devil: An enquiry into the future of the three enemies of the rational soul. Verso Books. Bostrom, N. (2005). A history of transhumanist thought. Journal of evolution and technology, 14(1). Bostrom, N. (2005). Transhumanist values. Journal of philosophical research, 30(Supplement), 3-14. Campa, Riccardo (2008). Italian Transhumanist Manifesto. Instititute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies. https://ieet.org/index.php/IEET2/more/campa20080722 Feenberg, A. (2006). What is philosophy of technology?. In Defining technological literacy (pp. 5-16). Palgrave Macmillan, New York. Ferrando, F. (2013). Posthumanism, transhumanism, antihumanism, metahumanism, and new materialisms. Existenz, 8(2), 26-32. Fukuyama, F. (2004). Transhumanism – the world's most dangerous idea. http://www.au.dk/fukuyama/boger/essay/ Gruman, G. J. (2003). A history of ideas about the prolongation of life. Springer Publishing Company. References Haldane, J. B. S. (1924). Daedalus or Science and the Future(pp. 63-65). New York: EP Dutton. Istvan, Z. (2013). The transhumanist wager. Reno: Futurity Imagine Media LLC. More, M. (1990). Transhumanism: Towards a futurist philosophy. Extropy, 6, 6-12. More, M. (2003). Principles of extropy. Extropy Institute. http://fennetic.net/irc/extropy/ext6.pdf Pearce, D. (1995). Hedonistic imperative. David Pearce. https://www.hedweb.com/ Vinge, V. (1993). The coming technological singularity: How to survive in the post-human era. Science Fiction Criticism: An Anthology of Essential Writings, 352-363. Wolbring, G. (2008). Why NBIC? Why human performance enhancement?. Innovation: The European journal of social science research, 21(1), 25-40..
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Techno-Salvation: Developing a Christian Hermeneutic of Enhancement Technology Richard Landrum Wilson
    Duquesne University Duquesne Scholarship Collection Electronic Theses and Dissertations Spring 1-1-2017 Techno-Salvation: Developing a Christian Hermeneutic of Enhancement Technology Richard Landrum Wilson Follow this and additional works at: https://dsc.duq.edu/etd Recommended Citation Wilson, R. L. (2017). Techno-Salvation: Developing a Christian Hermeneutic of Enhancement Technology (Doctoral dissertation, Duquesne University). Retrieved from https://dsc.duq.edu/etd/156 This Worldwide Access is brought to you for free and open access by Duquesne Scholarship Collection. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Duquesne Scholarship Collection. For more information, please contact [email protected]. TECHNO-SALVATION: DEVELOPING A CHRISTIAN HERMENEUTIC OF ENHANCEMENT TECHNOLOGY A Dissertation Submitted to the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts Duquesne University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy By Richard L. Wilson May 2017 Copyright by Richard L. Wilson 2017 TECHNO-SALVATION: DEVELOPING A CHRISTIAN HERMENEUTIC OF ENHANCEMENT TECHNOLOGY By Richard L. Wilson Approved February 28, 2017 _______________________________ _______________________________ Dr. Darlene Weaver Dr. Elizabeth Agnew Cochran Professor of Theology Associate Professor of Theology (Committee Chair) (Committee Member) _______________________________ Dr. Gerard Magill Professor of Healthcare Ethics (Committee Member) _______________________________
    [Show full text]
  • Citizen Cyborg.” Citizen a Groundbreaking Work of Social Commentary, Citizen Cyborg Artificial Intelligence, Nanotechnology, and Genetic Engineering —DR
    hughes (continued from front flap) $26.95 US ADVANCE PRAISE FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE NANOTECHNOLOGY GENETIC ENGINEERING MEDICAL ETHICS INVITRO FERTILIZATION STEM-CELL RESEARCH $37.95 CAN citizen LIFE EXTENSION GENETIC PATENTS HUMAN GENETIC ENGINEERING CLONING SEX SELECTION ASSISTED SUICIDE UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE human genetic engineering, sex selection, drugs, and assisted In the next fifty years, life spans will extend well beyond a century. suicide—and concludes with a concrete political agenda for pro- cyborg Our senses and cognition will be enhanced. We will have greater technology progressives, including expanding and deepening control over our emotions and memory. Our bodies and brains “A challenging and provocative look at the intersection of human self-modification and human rights, reforming genetic patent laws, and providing SOCIETIES MUST RESPOND TO THE REDESIGNED HUMAN OF FUTURE WHY DEMOCRATIC will be surrounded by and merged with computer power. The limits political governance. Everyone wondering how society will be able to handle the coming citizen everyone with healthcare and a basic guaranteed income. of the human body will be transcended, as technologies such as possibilities of A.I. and genomics should read Citizen Cyborg.” citizen A groundbreaking work of social commentary, Citizen Cyborg artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and genetic engineering —DR. GREGORY STOCK, author of Redesigning Humans illuminates the technologies that are pushing the boundaries of converge and accelerate. With them, we will redesign ourselves and humanness—and the debate that may determine the future of the our children into varieties of posthumanity. “A powerful indictment of the anti-rationalist attitudes that are dominating our national human race itself.
    [Show full text]
  • Against Transhumanism the Delusion of Technological Transcendence
    Edition 1.0 Against Transhumanism The delusion of technological transcendence Richard A.L. Jones Preface About the author Richard Jones has written extensively on both the technical aspects of nanotechnology and its social and ethical implications; his book “Soft Machines: nanotechnology and life” is published by OUP. He has a first degree and PhD in physics from the University of Cam- bridge; after postdoctoral work at Cornell University he has held positions as Lecturer in Physics at Cambridge University and Profes- sor of Physics at Sheffield. His work as an experimental physicist concentrates on the properties of biological and synthetic macro- molecules at interfaces; he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2006 and was awarded the Institute of Physics’s Tabor Medal for Nanoscience in 2009. His blog, on nanotechnology and science policy, can be found at Soft Machines. About this ebook This short work brings together some pieces that have previously appeared on my blog Soft Machines (chapters 2,4 and 5). Chapter 3 is adapted from an early draft of a piece that, in a much revised form, appeared in a special issue of the magazine IEEE Spectrum de- voted to the Singularity, under the title “Rupturing the Nanotech Rapture”. Version 1.0, 15 January 2016 The cover picture is The Ascension, by Benjamin West (1801). Source: Wikimedia Commons ii Transhumanism, technological change, and the Singularity 1 Rapid technological progress – progress that is obvious by setting off a runaway climate change event, that it will be no on the scale of an individual lifetime - is something we take longer compatible with civilization.
    [Show full text]
  • Transhumanism, Techno-Religion, and Post-Secular Transcendence
    Humanities and Technology Review Fall 2019, Volume 38, issue 2 Pages 1-28 ISSN 1076-7908 Technological Re-Enchantment: Transhumanism, Techno-Religion, and Post-Secular Transcendence Albert R. Antosca Dartmouth College Abstract: This article provides a framework for understanding the dynamics between the disenchanting effects of a uniquely modern existential meaning crisis and a countervailing re- enchantment facilitated by the techno-cultural movement of transhumanism. This movement constructs a post-secular techno-theology grounded in a transhumanist ontology that corresponds to a shift away from anthropocentric meaning systems. To shed light on this dynamic, I take a phenomenological approach to the human-technology relationship, highlighting the role of technology in ontology formation and religious imagination. I refer to examples of transhumanist religious movements to illustrate a new post- humanist ontological grounding of meaning corresponding to a contemporary meaning-crisis that scholars are calling neuroexistentialism.’ I then use the language of Charles Taylor and his work on secularization to frame these ontological developments. Ultimately, this article argues that 2019 Albert Antosca. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives license which permits non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction of this article in any medium, provided the author and original source are cited and the article is not modified without permission of the author.
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainable Development, Technological Singularity and Ethics
    European Research Studies Journal Volume XXI, Issue 4, 2018 pp. 714- 725 Sustainable Development, Technological Singularity and Ethics Vyacheslav Mantatov1, Vitaly Tutubalin2 Abstract: The development of modern convergent technologies opens the prospect of a new technological order. Its image as a “technological singularity”, i.e. such “transhuman” stage of scientific and technical progress, on which the superintelligence will be practically implemented, seems to be quite realistic. The determination of the basic philosophical coordinates of this future reality in the movement along the path of sustainable development of mankind is the most important task of modern science. The article is devoted to the study of the basic ontological, epistemological and moral aspects in the reception of the coming technological singularity. The method of this study is integrating dialectical and system approach. The authors come to the conclusion: the technological singularity in the form of a “computronium” (superintelligence) opens up broad prospects for the sustainable development of mankind in the cosmic dimension. This superintelligence will become an ally of man in the process of cosmic evolution. Keywords: Technological Singularity, Superintelligence, Convergent Technologies, Cosmocentrism, Human and Universe JEL code: Q01, Q56. 1East Siberia State University of Technology and Management, Ulan-Ude, Russia [email protected] 2East Siberia State University of Technology and Management, Ulan-Ude, Russia, [email protected] V. Mantatov, V. Tutubalin 715 1. Introduction Intelligence organizes the world by organizing itself. J. Piaget Technological singularity is defined as a certain moment or stage in the development of mankind, when scientific and technological progress will become so fast and complex that it will be unpredictable.
    [Show full text]
  • Apologia for Transhumanist Religion Gregory E
    A peer-reviewed electronic journal published by the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies ISSN 1541-0099 15(1) - February 2006 Apologia for Transhumanist Religion Gregory E. Jordan, Ph.D. University of South Florida 4202 E. Fowler Ave. #30242 Tampa, Florida 33620 ([email protected]) http://jetpress.org/volume15/jordan2.htm Abstract This essay introduces the notion of transhumanist religions: their rationale, their context within the history of religions, and some fundamental constraints on their design and definition. Some of the many possible arguments for and against the design of such religions are discussed Religions, religious feelings, and religious experiences have been prominent throughout history in almost all human cultures. Religions, or cultural phenomena which can be analyzed as religions, are still influential elements of culture in all larger human societies. Religions that may resemble the earliest form of religions, those which anthropologists have called ‘primitive’ religions, continue today in some isolated societies. Later types of religions, which incorporated elements of those previous religions, have lasted for thousands of years and continue today. New religions, and new sects of old religions, continue to arise every year. Some of these new religions grow in numbers of adherents, while others eventually dwindle to none and disappear. The evolution of religions is characterized by variations on old themes as well as the introduction of new themes. Concerns and issues that arise in any sphere of a society’s culture can eventually affect religion. In the contemporary world, one of the most prominent cultural trends is the continuing increase in the sophistication, diversity, and multiplying applications of new technologies.
    [Show full text]
  • Extropy Institute
    ISSN 1057-1035 Issue #14 (vol.7, no.1) 1st Quarter 1995 $4.95 1 EXTROPY #14 (7:1) First Quarter 1995 EXTROPY: The Journal of Transhumanist Thought is a journal of ideas, dedicated to discussing and developing themes in the follow- ing areas: • Transhumanism and futurist philosophy • Life extension, immortalism and cryonics • Smart drugs (nootropics) and intelligence increase technologies • Machine intelligence, personality uploading, and Artificial life • Nanocomputers and nanotechnology • Memetics (ideas as viruses) ExtropyExtropy InstituteInstitute • Experimental free communities in space, on the oceans, and within computer networks • Effective thinking and information filtering EXTROPY (ISSN 1057-1035) is published approx. quarterly by • Self-transformative psychology Extropy Institute (ExI), an educational tax-exempt corporation, • Spontaneous orders (free markets, neural 13428 Maxella Avenue, #273, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292. Phone: networks, evolutionary processes, etc) (310) 398-0375. • Digital economy (privacy technologies, E-mail to: [email protected] digital money and electronic markets) or: [email protected] • Rational, market-based environmentalism Copyright ©1994 by Extropy Institute and the respective writers. • Probing the ultimate limits of physics Distributed by Armadillo, Los Angeles, CA; Desert Moon Periodicals, Sante Fe, NM; Fine Print, Austin, TX; Inland, East Haven, CT; IPD, Solana Beach, CA; Small Changes, Seattle, WA; Ubiquity, Brooklyn, NY; & Tower EDITORIAL TEAM Magazines, W. Sacramento, CA; and in the UK by Counter Productions, London, UK. EDITOR: Max More, MA, Extropy Institute Writers: Contact the editor for submission details. ART DIRECTOR: Nancie Clark SUBSCRIPTIONS (4 issues): Communications: Russell E. Whitaker, Taos Mountain Soft- USA: $18 ware Canada and Mexico*: $22 Overseas*: $32 (air); $24 (surface) Computing, Simon D.
    [Show full text]
  • Business Ethics and Artificial Intelligence: Towards the Underlying Concept of Man
    International Journal of Business, Humanities and Technology Vol. 9, No. 3, September2019 doi:10.30845/ijbht.v9n3p3 Business Ethics and Artificial Intelligence: Towards the Underlying Concept of Man Dr. Claudius Mandel FOM – Hochschulefür Oekonomie und Management University of Cologne, Professional Center Germany Abstract Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its social implications are a key challenge of the contemporary world. This includes ethical and anthropological issues. Dealing with these issues asks for an interdisciplinary discourse - for example with philosophers, economists, and engineering scientists. The most important position among those who advocate AI development is 'trans-humanism'. In the following essay, the motives and arguments of this position and particularly its anthropological concept are analyzed and critically evaluated from a variety of perspectives, including ethics and business economics. Keywords: business ethics, business economics, Artificial Intelligence, transhumanism, concept of man, singularitarianism, technological singularity 1. Business ethics and Artificial Intelligence The reflection of ethical principles in the context of economic action can be traced back in the history of ideas and theory to the unity of ethics, politics and economy by Aristotle. Since the emancipation of economics from late medieval moral philosophy in the 19th century, however, ethics and economics have long been in a disciplinary disproportion - an economic rationality oriented towards efficiency and self-interest versus the question of a good life in the sense of correct interpersonal action. For several decades, however, interest in business ethics has been revived: the increasing destruction of the environment, growing inequality of distribution, and not least tasks in the context of global digitization raise the question of the normative foundations of economic activity.
    [Show full text]
  • Humanity's Capability of Transcendence Through Artificial
    California State University, Monterey Bay Digital Commons @ CSUMB Capstone Projects and Master's Theses Spring 5-2016 Humanity’s Capability of Transcendence through Artificial Intelligence Zena McCartney California State University, Monterey Bay Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/caps_thes Part of the Philosophy Commons Recommended Citation McCartney, Zena, "Humanity’s Capability of Transcendence through Artificial Intelligence" (2016). Capstone Projects and Master's Theses. 529. https://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/caps_thes/529 This Capstone Project is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons @ CSUMB. It has been accepted for inclusion in Capstone Projects and Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ CSUMB. Unless otherwise indicated, this project was conducted as practicum not subject to IRB review but conducted in keeping with applicable regulatory guidance for training purposes. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Humanity’s Capability of Transcendence through Artificial Intelligence What does it mean to be a human in a technological society? Source: Cazy89. Artificial Intelligence. Cruz, Alejandro. Flickr Commons. WikiMedia Project. Web. 28 December 2008. Digital Image. Senior Capstone Practical and Professional Ethics Research Essay David Reichard Division of Humanities and Communication Spring 2016 0 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................................................................................2
    [Show full text]
  • Lesswrong.Com Sequences
    LessWrong.com Sequences Elizier Yudkowsky Generated by lesswrong_book.py on 2013-04-28. Pseudo-random version string: 8c37c10f-8178-4d00-8a06-16a9ed81a6be. Part I Map and Territory A collection of posts dealing with the fundamentals of rationality: the difference between the map and the territory, Bayes’s Theorem and the nature of evidence, why anyone should care about truth, and minds as reflective cognitive engines. 1. The Simple Truth↗ “I remember this paper I wrote on existentialism. My teacher gave it back with an F. She’d underlined true and truth wherever it appeared in the essay, probably about twenty times, with a question mark beside each. She wanted to know what I meant by truth.” — Danielle Egan (journalist) Author’s Foreword: This essay is meant to restore a naive view of truth. Someone says to you: “My miracle snake oil can rid you of lung cancer in just three weeks.” You reply: “Didn’t a clinical study show this claim to be untrue?” The one returns: “This notion of ‘truth’ is quite naive; what do you mean by ‘true’?” Many people, so questioned, don’t know how to answer in exquisitely rigorous detail. Nonetheless they would not be wise to abandon the concept of ‘truth’. There was a time when no one knew the equations of gravity in exquisitely rigorous detail, yet if you walked off a cliff, you would fall. Often I have seen – especially on Internet mailing lists – that amidst other conversation, someone says “X is true”, and then an argument breaks out over the use of the word ‘true’.
    [Show full text]
  • Societas Proposal
    Societas Ethica 2011 Proposal Enhancement for All?: A Feminist Ethical Analysis of the Discourses and Practices of Democratic Transhumanism In the past few years, democratic transhumanism has emerged as the primary voice working toward mainstreaming the transhumanist movement in popular discourse. Through the work of groups like the World Transhumanist Association (recently rebranded Humanity Plus) and the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies, democratic transhumanism has worked to blend transhumanist ideals with progressive democratic values. They have begun to distance themselves from libertarian and other transhumanists, claiming the mantle of “technoprogressivism.” Technoprogressives are seeking to position themselves as a “middle way” (http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/biopolitics) between technoutopianisms (including libertarian transhumanism, extropianism, and other technopositive movements) and technoconservatisms (including both left and right bioconservatism and neo-Luddism). The posing of this middle way frames the discussion as a movement standing between uncritical acceptance and uncritical rejection of emerging technologies. Technoprogressives claim the ground between uncritical stances, though they advocate strongly for the development and use of human enhancement technologies, provided there is universal and uncoerced access to those technologies. Democratic transhumanists emphasize the importance of the development and availability of technologies to expand human capabilities and related transformations. They support
    [Show full text]
  • APA Newsletter on Philosophy and Computers, Vol. 14, No. 2
    NEWSLETTER | The American Philosophical Association Philosophy and Computers SPRING 2015 VOLUME 14 | NUMBER 2 FROM THE GUEST EDITOR John P. Sullins NOTES FROM THE COMMUNITY ON PAT SUPPES ARTICLES Patrick Suppes Patrick Suppes Autobiography Luciano Floridi Singularitarians, AItheists, and Why the Problem with Artificial Intelligence is H.A.L. (Humanity At Large), not HAL Peter Boltuc First-Person Consciousness as Hardware D. E. Wittkower Social Media and the Organization Man Niklas Toivakainen The Moral Roots of Conceptual Confusion in Artificial Intelligence Research Xiaohong Wang, Jian Wang, Kun Zhao, and Chaolin Wang Increase or Decrease of Entropy: To Construct a More Universal Macroethics (A Discussion of Luciano Floridi’s The Ethics of Information) VOLUME 14 | NUMBER 2 SPRING 2015 © 2015 BY THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL ASSOCIATION ISSN 2155-9708 APA NEWSLETTER ON Philosophy and Computers JOHN P. SULLINS, GUEST EDITOR VOLUME 14 | NUMBER 2 | SPRING 2015 but here we wish to celebrate his accomplishments in the FROM THE GUEST EDITOR fields of philosophy and computing one last time. John P. Sullins To accomplish that goal I have compiled some interesting SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY pieces from an autobiography that Pat wrote some years ago but that he added to a bit for an event held in his honor November 17, 2014, marked the end of an inspiring at Stanford. In this document he explains his motivations career. On that day Patrick Suppes died quietly at the and accomplishments in various fields of study that are age of ninety-two in his house on the Stanford Campus, of interest to our community. In that section you will see which had been his home both physically and intellectually just how ambitious Pat was in the world of computer since 1950.
    [Show full text]