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Today we live in a technological world. The NY-NJ Metro area is one of the greatest concentrations of technology on the planet. The familiarity of the technological world obscures its essence. The structure and development of technology are hidden behind the veil of everyday utility: what we use becomes invisible. But as we grow more and more dependent on technology for our very survival, it is important that we learn to think clearly and logically about the essence, structure, development, and value of technology.
We will work on the concepts central to the abstract order of technology. For example: we will study the concept of the artificial as the imitation of the natural; we will try to see how the artificial world is structured like an evolving living organism. We will develop analytical and critical skills to expose and to evaluate the values and purposes at work in technology. For example: we will expose the religious values embedded in technology, such as the desire for immortality, for omniscience, for omnipotence. We will examine our culture's faith in technology.
Our goal is to learn to make rational decisions about our future in the
artificial world. We will study technology in general, and special technologies
like cloning, artificial intelligence, and artificial life.
Books are listed below; readings are listed on the schedule. The readings are short, but often difficult. What's required is serious thinking about what you're reading
Books are available at WPU Bookstore or large retail bookstores. The texts on the WWW are listed on the PHIL 399-60 Schedule.
REQUIRED BOOKS:
F. Ferre, Philosophy of Technology (Athens, GA: University of Georgia Press, 1995). ISBN: 0-8203-1761-6.
G. B. Dyson, Darwin among the Machines: The Evolution of Global Intelligence (Reading, MA: Perseus Books, 1997). ISBN: 0-7382-0030-1.
H. Moravec, Mind Children: The Future of Robot and Human Intelligence (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1988). ISBN: 0-674-57618-7.
D. F. Noble, The Religion of Technology: The Divinity of Man and the Spirit of Invention (New York: Penguin, 1999). ISBN: 0-14-027916-4.
RECOMMENDED BOOK:
A. Teich (Ed.), Technology and the Future, 7th Ed. (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1997).
You must write short regular papers (1 & 1/2 pages per week), on themes of your choice but dealing with the authors and topics discussed. Late papers are discounted: the later you let it go, the lower its grade. Attendance & participation count!
If you have any problems with attending, or any emergencies, or any disabilities or other difficulties you think may become issues relative to the course, talk to me.