Call for Abstracts/Papers

Ethics of Cyborgs, Robots, and the Posthuman: Reflections from Ancient Greece and Rome to the Present Day
12th John Cabot University (JCU) Posthuman Studies Workshop
October 19, 2024
Rome, Italy
https://calendar.johncabot.edu/event/ethics-of-cyborgs-robots-and-the-posthuman

Organizer: Prof. Stefan Lorenz Sorgner: www.sorgner.de

Deadline for submission of abstracts: September 15, 2024

OVERVIEW:

The rapid advancement of technology has propelled humanity into an era where the boundaries between humans, machines, and the posthuman are increasingly blurred. As we integrate more intimately with technology—through robotics, artificial intelligence, and cyborg enhancements—urgent ethical questions arise. How should we navigate these transformations, and what can we learn from the past to inform our future?

This conference invites scholars, researchers, and practitioners to explore the ethics of cyborgs, robots, and the posthuman through the lens of history, particularly drawing on reflections from Ancient Greece and Rome. By tracing the philosophical, ethical, and cultural considerations from antiquity to the present, we seek to foster a multidisciplinary dialogue on the evolving nature of humanity and technology.

SUGGESTED TOPICS:

We welcome papers that explore, but are not limited to, the following topics:

1. Ancient Philosophical Foundations:

• Ethical considerations of human and non-human entities in Ancient Greek and Roman thought.
• The role of myth, such as Prometheus and Daedalus, in shaping early concepts of artificial beings and ethical boundaries.
• Comparisons between ancient understandings of the self and body and modern interpretations in the context of cyborgs and robotics.

2. Historical Continuities and Discontinuities:

• How ancient ethical frameworks influence contemporary debates on artificial intelligence and robotics.
• The persistence or transformation of classical ethical ideas in modern discussions of the posthuman.
• The evolution of the concept of “human” from antiquity to the age of cyborgs and AI.

3. Modern Ethical Challenges:

• The implications of cyborg technologies on human identity and autonomy.
• Ethical dilemmas in the development and deployment of robots and AI in society.
• Post- and Transhumanism: philosophical and ethical reflections on a future beyond traditional human boundaries.

4. Interdisciplinary Perspectives:

• Contributions from philosophy, history, theology, cultural studies, and the sciences on the ethical dimensions of cyborgs and the posthuman.
• The impact of literature, art, and media in shaping societal perceptions of cyborgs, robots, and posthuman futures.

5. Case Studies and Applied Ethics:

• Ethical considerations in contemporary cyborg and robotics technologies.
• The role of policy and law in regulating emerging technologies.
• Practical examples of ethical dilemmas in the design, use, and integration of robotics and AI.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

Abstract Submission: Please submit an abstract of 300-500 words by 15th of September 2024.

Submission Portal: Please submit your abstracts by sending an email to metahumanities@gmail.com

Abstract Submission Deadline: 15th of September 2024
Notification of Acceptance: 22nd of September 2024
Conference Dates: 19th of October 2024

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For more details or inquiries, please contact metahumanities@gmail.com

We look forward to your contributions to this exciting and timely exploration of the ethics surrounding cyborgs, robots, and the posthuman, drawing insights from the rich intellectual traditions of Ancient Greece and Rome to illuminate our technological future.

This call for papers is designed to attract a wide range of scholars and practitioners, encouraging an interdisciplinary and historically informed discussion on the ethics of emerging technologies.