Important terms and exam questions to study for Biomedical Sciences and
Society, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (AB_1011)
Study these well, and you will be guaranteed to pass your exam!
And yeah, summaries are cool and all, but THIS is the way to study: practice, practice and
practice!
What is humanism? ---> Humanism is a philosophical and ethical stance that
emphasizes the value and agency of human beings, individually and collectively, and
generally prefers critical thinking and evidence over acceptance of dogma or
superstition.
It places a strong emphasis on reason, human dignity, and the promotion of human
well-being.
Humanism is often associated with a commitment to human rights, equality, and the
pursuit of knowledge.
In this view of the world,humans are the central element and our individual freedom
our greatest asset.
What is liberalism? ---> Liberalism is a political philosophy or worldview founded
on ideas of liberty and equality.
Liberalism allows us to express humanism in everyday life by translating its ideas
into specificmoral codes, laws, and political aspirations.
Liberalism seeks to protect individual freedoms and limit the power of the state.
What is transhumanism? ---> Transhumanism argues that humans should merge
with technology to enhance their capabilities and keep up with the power of
algorithms.
Transhumanists aim to enhance human capabilities beyond what is currently
considered biologically normal.
What is the central goal of transhumanism? ---> The central goal of
transhumanism is to overcome human limitations and enhance the human condition
through the integration of advanced technologies.
Two trends Harari sees appearing at the horizon are: ---> techno-humanism, often
calledtranshumanism, and dataism.
, What is dataism? ---> Dataism suggests we "get out of the way" and let algorithms
become as powerful as theycan become on their own.
The central idea of Dataism revolves around the belief that in the age of information
and technology, data is becoming the most valuable resource.
Harari explores how the rise of technology, artificial intelligence, and the
unprecedented collection of data may shape the future of humanity.
It can be argued that dataism might eventually lead to some Matrix-style scenario.
What is meant with this? ---> In this scenario, the machines get rid of us humans
because we're just in their way.
What is Kevin Kelly's definition of technology? ---> Technology is anything useful
invented by a mind.
What does Kevin Kelly mean with the ''technium''? ---> The technium
encompasses all technologies, past and present, as a global, interconnected system.
What does Kevin Kelly mean with that there are no bad technologies? ---> Just as
there are no bad children. We don't say children are neutral; children are positive.
We just have to find them the right place.
What is the instrumental view of technology and society? ---> Society develops
and uses technology to reach its own goals.
In the instrumentalist view, scientific knowledge and technological artefacts are seen
as neutral means or tools to realize human goals. Knowledge and artefacts can be
used for good or bad and do not have any kind of agency or structuring effects on
society themselves.
What is the deterministic view of technology and society? ---> Technological
development follows its own trajectory, and technological development has an
impact on society.
Science and technology develop autonomously: they have their own momentum,
control themselves and their trajectory follows a techno-scientific logic that is
unfolding itself.
Humans as 'slaves of technology' fits best with which view of science and
technology? ---> Deterministic view.
Society, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (AB_1011)
Study these well, and you will be guaranteed to pass your exam!
And yeah, summaries are cool and all, but THIS is the way to study: practice, practice and
practice!
What is humanism? ---> Humanism is a philosophical and ethical stance that
emphasizes the value and agency of human beings, individually and collectively, and
generally prefers critical thinking and evidence over acceptance of dogma or
superstition.
It places a strong emphasis on reason, human dignity, and the promotion of human
well-being.
Humanism is often associated with a commitment to human rights, equality, and the
pursuit of knowledge.
In this view of the world,humans are the central element and our individual freedom
our greatest asset.
What is liberalism? ---> Liberalism is a political philosophy or worldview founded
on ideas of liberty and equality.
Liberalism allows us to express humanism in everyday life by translating its ideas
into specificmoral codes, laws, and political aspirations.
Liberalism seeks to protect individual freedoms and limit the power of the state.
What is transhumanism? ---> Transhumanism argues that humans should merge
with technology to enhance their capabilities and keep up with the power of
algorithms.
Transhumanists aim to enhance human capabilities beyond what is currently
considered biologically normal.
What is the central goal of transhumanism? ---> The central goal of
transhumanism is to overcome human limitations and enhance the human condition
through the integration of advanced technologies.
Two trends Harari sees appearing at the horizon are: ---> techno-humanism, often
calledtranshumanism, and dataism.
, What is dataism? ---> Dataism suggests we "get out of the way" and let algorithms
become as powerful as theycan become on their own.
The central idea of Dataism revolves around the belief that in the age of information
and technology, data is becoming the most valuable resource.
Harari explores how the rise of technology, artificial intelligence, and the
unprecedented collection of data may shape the future of humanity.
It can be argued that dataism might eventually lead to some Matrix-style scenario.
What is meant with this? ---> In this scenario, the machines get rid of us humans
because we're just in their way.
What is Kevin Kelly's definition of technology? ---> Technology is anything useful
invented by a mind.
What does Kevin Kelly mean with the ''technium''? ---> The technium
encompasses all technologies, past and present, as a global, interconnected system.
What does Kevin Kelly mean with that there are no bad technologies? ---> Just as
there are no bad children. We don't say children are neutral; children are positive.
We just have to find them the right place.
What is the instrumental view of technology and society? ---> Society develops
and uses technology to reach its own goals.
In the instrumentalist view, scientific knowledge and technological artefacts are seen
as neutral means or tools to realize human goals. Knowledge and artefacts can be
used for good or bad and do not have any kind of agency or structuring effects on
society themselves.
What is the deterministic view of technology and society? ---> Technological
development follows its own trajectory, and technological development has an
impact on society.
Science and technology develop autonomously: they have their own momentum,
control themselves and their trajectory follows a techno-scientific logic that is
unfolding itself.
Humans as 'slaves of technology' fits best with which view of science and
technology? ---> Deterministic view.
