This course examines some of the main moral issues that will need to be confronted during the 21st century. These issues include: the increasing use of robots to perform traditional human tasks, the increasing sophistication and complexity of Artificial Intelligence, the biological and technological enhancement of human beings, the emergence of cyborgs as an alternative to ‘natural’ humanity, and the impact of social media technology on interpersonal relationships. These issues are examined in terms of the theories of trans-humanism and post-humanism. This course concludes with an examination of some of the possible future scenarios that have been envisioned for the year 3,000.
Level: Complex Introductory to Intermediate
Key Terms: Contemporary moral issues; transhumanism; posthumanism (robots; human enhancement; year 3000) (21pp)