Philosophy and Technology

Philosophy and Technology

PHIL S1183 (CRN: 30122)

Instructors: Joseph Lawal
Dates: Session B, June 29 - July 31, 2026
Course Mode: In-Person
Meeting Times: MWF 1.00-3.15
Distributional Requirements: Humanities
Eligibility: Open to pre-college and college students

In-person Course. The last few years have witnessed significant improvements in artificial intelligence and virtual reality technologies. Within our lifetimes, it may become possible to spend time in extremely realistic computer simulated worlds, populated by artificially intelligent agents. This prospect forces us to grapple with a host of important questions, including: whether artificially intelligent agents will ever achieve consciousness and moral status; whether we could survive ‘uploading’ our minds into a virtual reality; whether or not this would be good for us; and whether we can know if we are already living inside a simulation. In this class we will discuss all of those questions, as well as several ethical dilemmas posed by present-day technologies like dating apps and self-driving cars. (Is it immoral to ‘swipe left’ on potential romantic partners based on physical appearance? How should self-driving cars handle ethical trade-offs?) The class will not presume any background in philosophy or technology studies, and will use technological developments as a springboard into philosophy. 1 Credit. Session B: June 29 – July 31. Tuition: $5480.

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