UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE VOLUME 3 THEOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS The reality of a radically changing world is beyond dispute. The notion of the Fourth Industrial Revolution is a heuristic REVOLUTION INDUSTRIAL FOURTH THE ENGAGING key for the world of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, quantum computing, big data, the internet of things, and biotechnology. The discussion of emerging technologies and the Fourth Industrial Revolution highlights urgent questions about issues like intention, function, risk, and responsibility. This publication stimulates further reflection, ongoing conversation, and eventually the production of more textured thinking. The conversation with technology and with thinkers on technology, holds the promise of a certain fecundity, the possibility to see deeper into human evolution, but also, may be, into the future of humankind. South African scholars are at the forefront of the thinking around opportunities and challenges posed by recent world-changing develop­­ments in technology, including machine learning and artificial intelligence. In this book scholars from various fields attempt to describe the influence of these technologies on theology, human directiveness, future ethics, university transformation and religious leadership. The chapters in this book will inspire and educate present and future scholars far beyond the subject field of theology. Prof. Corli Witthuhn Vice-Rector: Research, University of the Free State J.A. van den Berg Theology is always in need of reinterpretation in light of societal shifts. This very important book advances an exciting and critical relationship between theology, ethics and education on the one hand ENGAGING THE FOURTH ISBN 978-1-928424-50-5 and the disruptions of our technological society on the other. The authors collectively achieved to highlight key themes that require INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION further reflection as we chart our way into unchartered social and ethical waters. Perspectives from theology, J.A. van den Berg 9 781928 424505 Prof. Piet Naudé EDITOR Professor of Ethics,University of Stellenbosch Business School philosophy and education ENGAGING THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION Perspectives from theology, philosophy and education J.A. van den Berg EDITOR Engaging the Fourth Industrial Revolution – Perspectives from theology, philosophy and education Published by SUN MeDIA Bloemfontein under the SUN PReSS imprint. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2020 SUN MeDIA and J.A. van den Berg This publication was subjected to an independent double‑blind peer evaluation by the publisher. The editor and publisher have made every effort to obtain permission for and acknowledge the use of copyrighted material. Please refer enquiries to the publisher. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic, photographic or mechanical means, including photocopying and recording on record, tape or laser disk, on microfilm, via the Internet, by e‑mail, or by any other information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission by the publisher. First edition 2020 ISBN 978‑1‑928424‑50‑5 (Print) ISBN 978‑1‑928424‑51‑2 (Online) DOI: https://doi.org/10.18820/9781928424512 Set in Adobe Garamond Pro 12/16 Cover image by Rian & Blanche Venter SUN PRESS is an imprint of AFRICAN SUN MeDIA. Academic, professional and reference works are published under this imprint in print and electronic format. This publication may be ordered directly from www.sun‑e‑shop.co.za. Cover design, typesetting and production by SUN MeDIA, Bloemgate Centre, Nelson Mandela Road, Bloemfontein This publication can be ordered directly from: [email protected] (printed copy) https://africansunmedia.store.it.si/za/home (e‑book) CONTENTS EDITORIAL BOARD .......................................................................................... xi LIST OF CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS ................................................................... xiii INTRODUCTION TO THE SERIES ........................................................................ xvii INTRODUCTION TO VOLUME 3 – Jan-Albert van den Berg ................................ 1 Engaging the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Perspectives from theology, philosophy and education .............................................................................. 1 1. Orientation .............................................................................................................. 1 2. Contextual perspectives ........................................................................................... 1 3. Focus ....................................................................................................................... 2 3.1 Clarifications and perspectives ........................................................................ 3 3.2 Explorations and re‑imaginings ...................................................................... 4 3.3 Worlds of knowledge and work ...................................................................... 6 4. Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 8 Chapter 1 – Louis C.H. Fourie Technology and theology: Finding the real God .............................................. 11 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................ 11 2. The industrial revolutions ........................................................................................ 11 3. The Fourth Industrial Revolution ............................................................................ 12 4. Major technological drivers of the Fourth Industrial Revolution ............................. 13 4.1 Artificial intelligence ....................................................................................... 13 4.2 Bio‑engineering .............................................................................................. 14 4.3 The internet of things ..................................................................................... 14 4.4 Robotics ......................................................................................................... 14 4.5 Self‑driving cars .............................................................................................. 14 4.6 Three‑dimensional printing ............................................................................ 15 4.7 Nanotechnology ............................................................................................. 15 4.8 Quantum computing ..................................................................................... 16 4.9 Virtual and augmented reality ........................................................................ 16 4.10 Materials science ............................................................................................. 17 5. The impact of Fourth Industrial Revolution technology .......................................... 18 5.1 Automation, artificial intelligence and the elimination of jobs ........................ 18 5.2 The power of large corporates ......................................................................... 19 5.3 Dehumanising of people ................................................................................ 19 5.4 Technocratic oligarchy .................................................................................... 19 5.5 Isolation from nature ...................................................................................... 20 5.6 False sense of autonomy ................................................................................. 20 5.7 Trans‑ and post‑humanism ............................................................................. 21 6. Non‑neutrality of technology .................................................................................. 22 7. Indications for a conversation between technology and theology ............................. 23 7.1 The importance of theological reflection ......................................................... 23 7.2 Digital exclusion and unemployment ............................................................. 24 7.3 Being human and the notion of the imago Dei ............................................... 25 7.3.1 The concept imago Dei ...................................................................... 25 7.3.2 The challenge of biotechnology ......................................................... 27 7.3.3 Trans‑ and post‑humanism ............................................................... 27 7.3.4 Being human .................................................................................... 29 7.4 The salvation of humankind ........................................................................... 30 7.5 Alienation through virtual reality .................................................................... 30 7.6 Technological enhancement for an elect few ................................................... 31 7.7 A technological utopia .................................................................................... 31 7.8 A technological eschatology ............................................................................ 32 7.9 When artificial intelligence and humanoids become humanlike ..................... 33 7.10 Finding the real God ...................................................................................... 35 8. Conclusion .............................................................................................................