EDST 391: H. sapiens: What does it mean to be “human”?

Name:
Date:
"Calendar"

Assignment for Day 7

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Finish Day 6 activity

• Don't forget that your 3 groups will start the class by presenting the arguments they developed last Thursday. These should be concise and organized. See Day 6 to review the assignment my colleague handed out for me.

Reading assignment

• Roese & Amir, Human-android interaction in the near and distant future.

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Thinking assignment

We have been asking ourselves "What makes us human?" In seeking an answer we have been comparing today's humans to other creatures, living and extinct--that is, looking back in time from today. But do we need to look forward too? Just as we evolved over a line into "human," is it possible that we might in the future cross a line out of "human"--and even try to? Perhaps it doesn't matter how we define human--or does it??

1. Will the development of ever more sophisticated androids change the notion of what or who qualifies as "human" and who possesses the rights and responsibilities of human beings? Please explain.

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In-class activity--will androids ever become "human"?

• Several video clips on creating androids
• Short class debate on "Androids should be given human rights if and when they pass the "threshold of indistinguishability." (This threshold is passed when you cannot discern that the individual you are interacting with is really an android, not a human being; see the Roese & Amir reading.)
• Sides drawn out of a hat
  • "YES, androids should be given human rights if they pass this threshold." (students will be assigned to a side)
  • "NO, androids should not be given human rights if they pass this threshold." (students will be assigned to a side)
• Come to class with specific ideas for arguing your side of the question. Use any ideas from the previous debate that you find helpful.

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