INQ-110 | Animals-Humans-Robots

Full Title: Animals-Humans-Robots

Topic Description:

In the 21st century some people look towards animals and the natural world for inspiration, and others towards robots and artificial intelligence (AI). This class explores how both groups define the human condition in starkly different ways. The first group wants to orient our sense of ourselves towards organic diet, finding common ground with animals, seeing the human condition as merely another animal species, and arguing that we need to reawaken our bodies to the natural world. The second group looks for inspiration to technology, and seeks to augment human potential through biophysical modifications, artificial enhancements, and human-computer symbioses. We will examine the aspirations of both groups as they are represented in essays, novels, short stories, and films. This class is an historical, literary, and philosophical exploration of how we have come to view the human condition in the early 21st century—as demonstrated by our concepts of animals and artificial life. The many questions we will consider include, are we a part of or apart from nature? and who are we?

Counts as Global? No

Topic Approved: April 2016