Technological human enhancement
Description
The Department of Philosophy & Technology invites you to a lecture by Prof Ciano Aydin "Stronger, faster and smarter: Technological human enhancement and its limits".
Walk-in from 18:30, the presentation starts at 19:00.
Technological developments seem to make us increasingly able to exert control over our lives. Thanks to technologies such as prenatal genetic modification, brain implants, 'smart drugs', and synthetic biology, we could take our destiny into our own hands.
Transhumanists promise us a body free of disease, eternal bliss and even eternal life. Bioconservatives, on the other hand, warn against hubris: playing God is asking for trouble.
This lecture will explore what conceptions of man underlie ideas of self-improvement, self-formation and self-limitation. In particular, the question of whether complete self-control is possible and desirable will be addressed. Disengagement with and impoverishment of the world around us will be recognised as possible implications of the thirst for self-control and 'instant gratification'
Speaker(s)
Prof Ciano Aydin is head of the Department of Philosophy and programme director of the Master "Philosophy of Science, Technology and Society" at the University of Twente, as well as Thomas More Professor of Philosophy at TU Delft. His research focuses mainly on identity and (information) technology.
Location
Vredenburg 19, 3511 BB Utrecht
Organiser
Philosophy & Technology
Name and contact details for information
Jac van den Broek