| Unit name | Philosophy in the Digital Age |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHIL30132 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Lena Zuchowski |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
N/A |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
N/A |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
N/A |
| School/department | Department of Philosophy |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Digital technologies pervade all aspects of our life. Indeed, they allow us to put this course description into hypertext, save it on a digital network, and have you view it on a handheld digital device. Beyond the ubiquity of its technologies, the digital world is inhabited by a host of strange entities (thinking machines, learning algorithms, virtual lifeforms) whose existence raises increasingly important philosophical problems.
This unit will explore some of the key philosophical problems and methodological questions that have arisen from the development and proliferation of digital technology, from the creation of virtual realities, and from research programmes to develop synthetic intelligence and artificial life. Questions to be explored include the following:
(1) The metaphysical status of virtual worlds and artificial life including the questions of whether such worlds are real and whether artificial life is really a form of life,
(2) The ethical problems that arise from the use of deep learning mechanisms and from the incorporation of autonomous robots and artificial life forms into society,
(3) The epistemology of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning,
(4) The methodological questions surrounding the use of digital tools and techniques in science and philosophy.
On successful completion of the unit students will be able to:
(1) demonstrate sophisticated knowledge and understanding of the core philosophical problems and methodological questions that have arisen from the development and proliferation of digital technology,
(2) demonstrate sophisticated knowledge and understanding of the core literature on these problems and questions,
(3) present, critically engage with, and philosophically analyze, these problems and questions, together with the relevant core literature on them, in a manner appropriate to level H/6,
(4) demonstrate skills in philosophical writing, analysis, and argument, appropriate to level H/6,
(5) work together collaboratively with others to analyse philosophical ideas and arguments, using the key tools of analytic philosophy, and to present these collaboratively as a group in a form accessible to the general public.
Lectures, small group work, individual exercises, seminars and virtual learning environment.
Summative: 4500 word essay (100%) [ILOs 1-4]
Formative: Digital collaborative presentation (0% to be completed for the award of credit) [ILOs 1-5]
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PHIL30132).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
