This course gives an insight to PhD students of essential philosophical concepts constituting the humanistic basis of computer ethics.

Core themes addressed in this highly interactive course are: 

1) the concept of humanism and digital humanism within the history of computer ethics

2) human dignity and its challenges in digital environments

3) contesting computer anthropology and understanding the difference(s) between humans and AI

4) basics of moral philosophy: utilitarianism and duty ethics

5) Virtue ethics and global ethics

After attending this course, students will have an overview of core themes relevant to digital humanism. They will see the link between philosophy and technology. They will have read essential articles on themes like humanism, freedom, dignity, computer anthropology, utilitarianism, duty ethics and virtue ethics.

full attendance required

Students will get a full day of initial presentations on all themes. They then receive a reading list and a project task to work on during the semester. The class meets for a 2-day retreat at the end of the semester to discuss the readings and projects. Students are requested to attend all three full-day classes, need to read the texts provided, be able to argue on the readings and prepare one presentation on a theme given to them (including the submission of a 5-page text).

Student attendance and reading reflection during class discussions: 15% (5 points)
Student presentation of theory-project: 40% (40 points)
Student paper submission on theory-project: 45% (45 points)

There are no specific requirements.

Please log in with your WU account to use all functionalities of read!t. For off-campus access to our licensed electronic resources, remember to activate your VPN connection connection. In case you encounter any technical problems or have questions regarding read!t, please feel free to contact the library at readinglists@wu.ac.at.