Philosophy of Technology and Environment

Overview

This module engages critically with major issues in the philosophy of technology and environmental philosophy through analysis of historical and contemporary texts and arguments. The module may include discussion of the following questions: Ought we to enhance ourselves and future generations? What is artificial intelligence, and how does it affect knowledge? How should we be responding to the climate crisis? How should humans understand their relationship with nature? In what ways does climate justice intersect with refugee justice? How can we best address epistemic issues involved in understanding climate change? The module incorporates attention to epistemological and metaphysical issues as well as to ethical and political issues, and will encourage students to appreciate the interconnections between these. The precise issues covered in the module may vary from year to year, but are likely to include philosophy of enhancement, artificial intelligence, algorithm bias, digital privacy and surveillance, land and urban philosophy, animal philosophy, the global climate crisis, climate justice and refugee justice.

Learning Objectives

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to: * Demonstrate critical analysis of key debates in the philosophy of technology and in environmental philosophy; * Apply relevant philosophical theories and case information in discussing and responding to contemporary practical technological and environmental issues; * Demonstrate critical understanding of diverse accounts of technology and environment within philosophy and society.

Skills

Intellectual skills • Managing & Prioritizing Knowledge: identify relevant and subject-specific knowledge, sources and data; manage such information in an independent manner. • Analytical Thinking: identify, understand, interpret and evaluate relevant subject-specific arguments made by others; construct independent arguments. • Critical & Independent Thinking: ability to think critically and construct one’s own position in relation to existing and ongoing debates in the field. Professional and career development skills • Communication Skills: ability to communicate clearly with others, both orally and in writing. • Teamwork: ability to work with others in a team, negotiate conflicts and recognize different ways of learning. • Diversity: ability to acknowledge and be sensitive to the range of cultural differences present in the learning environment. • Self-Reflexivity: ability to reflect on one’s own progress and identify and act upon one’s own development needs with respect to life-long learning and career development. • Time Management: ability to negotiate diverse and competing pressures; cope with stress; and achieve a work / life balance. Organizational skills • Efficient and effective work practice: demonstrate ability to work efficiently to deadlines. • Clear organisation of information: show efficiency in the organisation of large amounts of complex information and the ability to identify, describe and analyse the key features of the information. • Organisation and communication: demonstrate ability to use evidence to develop logical and clear arguments; show aptitude for the effective use of information in a direct and appropriate way. • Enterprising thinking: Demonstrate ability to think and argue in novel and enterprising ways, to display originality of thought and argument and the ability to clearly support arguments in innovative ways.

Assessment

None