4 - An ‘Artificial’ Concept as the Opposite of Human Dignity

Summary

Introduction

This chapter provides a critical review of recent developments of science and technology, and scrutinizes the challenges of artificiality that we invent. Human existence and dignity continue to be challenged by advanced technologies such as AI and other innovations in the life sciences. As such, I argue that frameworks emerging out of science and technology studies (STS), ethics, philosophy and ELSI (ethical, legal and social implications) must be used to inform our perspectives.

I begin by focusing on the concept of the ‘artificial’. When one adds the prefix ‘artificial’ to any word, it introduces a level of discomfort, and it feels as if it conflicts with the values associated with life and human existence. As discussed further on, it carries with it some elements of the ‘uncanny valley’ or ‘numinose’. We should thus also feel a sense of latent warning rather than admiration for technological triumph, particularly when confronted with the nature of ‘artificiality’.

Second, based on the artificial as a concept, I argue that human existence and dignity are at risk, due to the development of specific forms of science and technology. Despite this, human beings and our societies still continue to pursue the mass production and purchase of these artefacts. What kind of society will we produce in the future? Will the end point of technological innovation mean the loss of human dignity and the value of life itself? Will humanity have the will to control the advanced technologies and artefacts we created?

This chapter aims to engage in a critical review of technological trends. It offers an overview of the values that really need to be protected and draws on a metaphysical perspective from which to maximize sustainability and existential survival into the future.

Problems with the ‘artificial’ concept

Humanity can be described, at least in part, as a population of mammals who produce their own technology and tools (for example, Homo faber (Scheler, 1961)). ‘Artificiality’, which is different from natural origin, can be generally defined as a something human-caused and human-made, and refers to those artefacts produced since the beginning of recorded civilization (Needham,1956; Jones and Taub, 2018).