LFU:online

Ability to reflect on foundational topics in philosophical anthropology: What is a person? What is consciousness? Could artifical systems develop a consciousness or count as a person? Ability of competent participation in the pertinent societal debates.

Could robots or androids not only simulate consciousness, but develop consciousness? Should we then view them as persons and ascribe rights to them? Could human beings transcend themselves with the help of artificial neural implants? These

questions touch upon foundational topics in philosophical anthropology: What is a person? What is a human being? Is human cognition nothing but data processing within a biological "computer"? In this seminar we will discuss some well-known contemporary texts about these topics.

Introductory presentation of the relevant philosophical background, then guided student presentation of a text and moderated discussion.

Presentation + short paper

Brockman, J. (2019) Possible Minds: Twenty-Five Ways of Looking at A.I. New York: Penguin. A reader with all necessary articles and book chapters will be made available to students.