H.1 Flashcards
Anthropology/philosophical anthropology
-Science that studies the physical, social and cultural properties of humans (evolution and behavioral differences included).
-The philosophical dimension: Includes the study of the human condition:, it transcends all possible differences. Focus on shared challenges, questions and properties that bind:
-Human nature
-How we live our lives
-Society
Relevant questions concerning philosophical anthropology
-How to lead happy and productive lives?
-Nature vs nurture
-Free will?
-Social vs individual
-Nature of intelligence
-Reason and consciousness
-Selfish vs altruistic traits
Questions this course will try to answer
-Who are we?
-What are we living for?
-What is the fundamental of human nature?
-Human values
-What sets us apart from other living beings?
Points to question society
-Nature of norms and institutions
-Equality VS Hierarchy
-The impact of civilization
-Freedom VS conformity
Transdisciplinary framework of evolution and systems theory
or TFEST
-The integration of different ideas and scientific approaches into one coherent story: Humans are autonomous agents evolved to survive and thrive in a particular physical and social environment. This approach transcends dualities, dichotomies and binaries (eg.: mind/body).
Mind-Body problem, and the view on it from TFEST
-How could mind/body affect each other, being such fundamentaly different entities?
-They aren’t that different. They are two windows through which to look at the whole living system. Thiis applies to all dichotomies, they highlight the complexity/different sides of a whole.
Systems Theory
-It focuses on the value of interconnectedness between components of a whole.
-Attention for a coherent system that constantly needs to adapt and self-organise in interaction with its environment.
-The more complex the environment, the more the system’ll have to adapt, the better off and more flexible it’ll be—EVOLUTION REQUIRED
The human mind: A forefront for universal evolution and organisation?
-Desire, feeling, thought, consciousness, intelligence: These all products of universal evolution. Through the human mind, these are tools to asses and thrive in an increasingly complex environment. We are however just a link in the chain of evolution, it’s latest IOS update.
Brief history of philosophical anthro: What makes us special?
-Aristotle: humans are rational animals
-Medieval Christianity: Humans as part of the “Great Chain of Being”, a step between angels and animals (the difference with animals: having a soul that leaves the body once one dies).
-Descartes: Dichotomy body-soul: The body is animal, mind is autonomous, thinks and controls the body.
-Darwin and Freud: Wait a sec…We come from monkeys, and we have a WILD subconscious, so why don’t you get from your high, rational horse, Descartes.
Views on human condition: 20th century philosophers
Cassirer, phenomenology, existentialism
-Cassirer: Humans are “symbolic animals”: unique use of symbols to express inner world.
-Phenomenological tradition (Merleau-Ponty): Importance of subjectivity besides only experiencing what is objectively there.
-Existentialism: Meaning is not given, it must be created (intrinsic absurdity)
Definition of humanism and its view on the human condition (self-actualization)
-Humanism: In a world without pre-given rules or authorities, all values ultimately derive from human judgement.
-Self-actualization (Maslow) as the driving force of human existence. An ongoing development of ourselves to live happy and fulfilled lives.
The “post-human” perspective
-(Haraway, Barad 2018) A more ecological consciousness that sees humans as a part of a whole and not as ultimate judges of universal morality. It considers technology (robots), society and nature -non-human entities, as actors too. —-Goes back to animism.
The weird-ass transhumanist philosophy
-Sandberg, Vita-Moore. Radical augmentation of human capabilities through technology—Increased lifespan w a goal to become super human.
