Course

Robots and Humans. Theology for a Post-Human World

Please note that this course has been cancelled.

Ever since antiquity, philosophers and artists have considered the relations between tools, machines such as AI-systems and humans. Today, our lives are dependent on advanced technologies that humans in several ways are subordinated to them. This poses new challenges to theology. Theology has also wrestled with questions about what a human being is, but not very often in relation to the advanced technology. Where does the boundary between man and machine go? Is there a creation theology even for robots and cyborgs? Should one bury a prosthesis? This course examines the contribution from philosophy of technology, the relationship between man and machine and ethical challenges facing advanced technology. In parallel with the theories, theological close-ups are made of fictional examples of utopias and dystopias in the world of technology.

Brock, Brian, 2010. Christian Ethics in a Technological Age. Cambridge: Eerdmans Publishing. (388 p)

Graham, Elaine L., 2002. Representations of the Post/Human. Monsters, Aliens and Others in Popular Culture. Manchester: Manchester University Press. (252 p)

Han, Sam, 2016. Technologies of Religion. Spheres of the Sacred in a Post-secular Modernity. Oxford: Routledge. (152 p) Available as eBook via EbscoHost for students and staff.

Articles app. 200 pages.

Choose one of these novels (ca 300 s):
Asimov, Isaac: Jag, Robot (384 s)/Asimov, Isaac: I, Robot
Boye, Karin: Kallocain
Dick, Philip K.: Do Androids Deam of Electric Sheep?
Dick, Philip K.: The Minority Report (304 s)
Orwell, George: 1984
Shelley, Mary: Frankensteins monster/Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus

Susanne Wigorts Yngvesson

Professor

susanne.wigorts.yngvesson@ehs.se

Grades

A = Excellent, B = Very good, C = Good, D = Satisfactory, E = Sufficient, Fx = Insufficient, F = Insufficient

Examination Format

  • Papers
  • Seminars
  • Take-home examination

Grundläggande behörighet.
Kurser i teologi 60 hp: Baskurser 30 hp samt minst två av kurserna Att tolka Gud och samhället, 15 hp, Text, kontext och tolkning 15 hp eller Teologi, religion och kyrka i Sverige 15 hp, eller motsvarande.

Om student har ett beslut från EHS om särskilt pedagogiskt stöd på grund av funktionsnedsättning, skall examinator vid behov anpassa examinationen och genomföra examinationen på ett alternativt sätt.
För fullgjord kurs krävs minst 80% närvaro vid föreläsningar och 100% närvaro vid seminarier/gruppövningar och andra tillfällen för redovisning. Frånvaro därutöver kan kompenseras genom kompletteringsuppgift (-er) om kursansvarig lärare bedömer det möjligt. Vid frånvaro om 50 % eller mer betraktas kursen som avbruten, även om examinationsuppgifter har genomförts.

Established by Subject Representative College at Enskilda Högskolan Stockholm on December 15, 2015.

Last revised on February 22, 2017.