Abstract
There are at least two scientific debates concerning the possibility to offer enhanced lifetime to the human race. One of them derives from the medical sciences and the other from the computer sciences. The former has to do with improving the quality and length of human life by improving their biological systems, for example by way of smart pills. The latter concerns possible improvements of the quality and length of human life by correlating high technology with human beings. Medical scientists illustrate their research progressions using smart mice. Computer scientists present advanced robot models and other high-technological systems. To conquer nature seems to be humankind's everlasting driving force. However, the scientific dream of enhanced lifetime is problematic at least from a philosophical point of view. The aim of this paper hence is to give a critical philosophical analysis of the problems. After giving a brief historical view of the conquests of technology, the capacities of computer scientists to simulate human behaviour in computer systems is critically analysed. How are these capacities interpreted? Which consequences do these understandings have for human life? In addition, how is the medical success to produce mood and mutation drugs understood and which consequences is it thought to have for human life? What or who, in the end will save humanity? The first part of the article, which concerns computer sciences focuses on philosophical problems while the second part, which concerns medical sciences regards ethical problems.
Keywords: humanity, Cybernetics, artificial intelligence, Neuropharmacology, Cognitive neuroscience, Theology and Philosophy
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | European Journal of Science and Theology |
| Volume | vol. 4 |
| Issue number | no. 1 |
| Pages (from-to) | 5-17 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| ISSN | 1841-0464 |
| Publication status | Published - 2008 |