 | Umbrello, Steven; Lombard, Jessica Silence of the Idols: Appropriating the Myths of Daedalus and Sisyphus for Posthumanist Discourses Journal Article In: Postmodern Openings, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 98–121, 2018, ISSN: 20680236. @article{Umbrello2018n,
title = {Silence of the Idols: Appropriating the Myths of Daedalus and Sisyphus for Posthumanist Discourses},
author = {Steven Umbrello and Jessica Lombard},
url = {http://www.lumenpublishing.com/journals/index.php/po/article/view/1118},
doi = {10.18662/po/47},
issn = {20680236},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-12-01},
journal = {Postmodern Openings},
volume = {9},
number = {4},
pages = {98--121},
institution = {Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies},
abstract = {Both current and past analyses and critiques of transhumanist and posthumanist theories have had a propensity to cite the Greek myth of Prometheus as a paradigmatic figure. Although stark differences exist amongst the token forms of posthumanist theories and transhumanism, both theoretical domains claim promethean theory as their own. By first analyzing the appropriation of the myth in both posthumanism and transhumanism I show how the myth fails to be foundational to both camps simultaneously. I then introduce the Camusian Myth of Sisyphus as a competing analogy that ultimately serves as a myth better suited to address the posthumanist position by shifting away from humanist-laden dichotomies that are characteristic of transhumanist thought. I ultimately show that Sisyphus, as the 'absurd man' that Camus claims him to be, is himself the posthuman, thus serving as a more ideal foundational myth for posthumanism and preserving the importance of narrative in posthuman discourses. To conclude I show that the concept of Sisyphus as a posthuman icon has significance that reaches beyond narrative value to current ecological debates in posthumanist},
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Both current and past analyses and critiques of transhumanist and posthumanist theories have had a propensity to cite the Greek myth of Prometheus as a paradigmatic figure. Although stark differences exist amongst the token forms of posthumanist theories and transhumanism, both theoretical domains claim promethean theory as their own. By first analyzing the appropriation of the myth in both posthumanism and transhumanism I show how the myth fails to be foundational to both camps simultaneously. I then introduce the Camusian Myth of Sisyphus as a competing analogy that ultimately serves as a myth better suited to address the posthumanist position by shifting away from humanist-laden dichotomies that are characteristic of transhumanist thought. I ultimately show that Sisyphus, as the 'absurd man' that Camus claims him to be, is himself the posthuman, thus serving as a more ideal foundational myth for posthumanism and preserving the importance of narrative in posthuman discourses. To conclude I show that the concept of Sisyphus as a posthuman icon has significance that reaches beyond narrative value to current ecological debates in posthumanist |
 | Umbrello, Steven Posthumanism: A Fickle Philosophy? Journal Article In: Con Texte, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 28–32, 2018, ISSN: 2561-4770. @article{Umbrello2018b,
title = {Posthumanism: A Fickle Philosophy?},
author = {Steven Umbrello},
url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327103678_Posthumanism_A_Fickle_Philosophy
https://pubs.biblio.laurentian.ca/index.php/contexte/article/view/288},
doi = {10.28984/ct.v2i1.288},
issn = {2561-4770},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-10-01},
journal = {Con Texte},
volume = {2},
number = {1},
pages = {28--32},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
|
 | Umbrello, Steven; Baum, Seth D Evaluating future nanotechnology: The net societal impacts of atomically precise manufacturing Journal Article In: Futures, vol. 100, no. June, pp. 63–73, 2018, ISSN: 00163287. @article{Umbrello2018m,
title = {Evaluating future nanotechnology: The net societal impacts of atomically precise manufacturing},
author = {Steven Umbrello and Seth D Baum},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0016328717301908},
doi = {10.1016/j.futures.2018.04.007},
issn = {00163287},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-06-01},
journal = {Futures},
volume = {100},
number = {June},
pages = {63--73},
abstract = {Atomically precise manufacturing (APM) is the assembly of materials with atomic precision. APM does not currently exist, and may not be feasible, but if it is feasible, then the societal impacts could be dramatic. This paper assesses the net societal impacts of APM across the full range of important APM sectors: general material wealth, environmental issues, military affairs, surveillance, artificial intelligence, and space travel. Positive effects were found for material wealth, the environment, military affairs (specifically nuclear disarmament), and space travel. Negative effects were found for military affairs (specifically rogue actor violence and AI. The net effect for surveillance was ambiguous. The effects for the environment, military affairs, and AI appear to be the largest, with the environment perhaps being the largest of these, suggesting that APM would be net beneficial to society. However, these factors are not well quantified and no definitive conclusion can be made. One conclusion that can be reached is that if APM R&D is pursued, it should go hand-in-hand with effective governance strategies to increase the benefits and reduce the harms.},
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Atomically precise manufacturing (APM) is the assembly of materials with atomic precision. APM does not currently exist, and may not be feasible, but if it is feasible, then the societal impacts could be dramatic. This paper assesses the net societal impacts of APM across the full range of important APM sectors: general material wealth, environmental issues, military affairs, surveillance, artificial intelligence, and space travel. Positive effects were found for material wealth, the environment, military affairs (specifically nuclear disarmament), and space travel. Negative effects were found for military affairs (specifically rogue actor violence and AI. The net effect for surveillance was ambiguous. The effects for the environment, military affairs, and AI appear to be the largest, with the environment perhaps being the largest of these, suggesting that APM would be net beneficial to society. However, these factors are not well quantified and no definitive conclusion can be made. One conclusion that can be reached is that if APM R&D is pursued, it should go hand-in-hand with effective governance strategies to increase the benefits and reduce the harms. |
 | Umbrello, Steven The moral psychology of value sensitive design: the methodological issues of moral intuitions for responsible innovation Journal Article In: Journal of Responsible Innovation, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 186–200, 2018, ISSN: 2329-9460. @article{Umbrello2018j,
title = {The moral psychology of value sensitive design: the methodological issues of moral intuitions for responsible innovation},
author = {Steven Umbrello},
url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23299460.2018.1457401},
doi = {10.1080/23299460.2018.1457401},
issn = {2329-9460},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-05-01},
journal = {Journal of Responsible Innovation},
volume = {5},
number = {2},
pages = {186--200},
publisher = {Taylor & Francis},
abstract = {This paper argues that although moral intuitions are insufficient for making judgments on new technological innovations, they maintain great utility for informing responsible innovation. To do this, this paper employs the Value Sensitive Design (VSD) methodology as an illustrative example of how stakeholder values can be better distilled to inform responsible innovation. Further, it is argued that moral intuitions are necessary for determining stakeholder values required for the design of responsible technologies. This argument is supported by the claim that the moral intuitions of stakeholders allow designers to conceptualize stakeholder values and incorporate them into the early phases of design. It is concluded that design-for-values (DFV) frameworks like the VSD methodology can remain potent if developers adopt heuristic tools to diminish the influence of cognitive biases thus strengthening the reliability of moral intuitions.},
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This paper argues that although moral intuitions are insufficient for making judgments on new technological innovations, they maintain great utility for informing responsible innovation. To do this, this paper employs the Value Sensitive Design (VSD) methodology as an illustrative example of how stakeholder values can be better distilled to inform responsible innovation. Further, it is argued that moral intuitions are necessary for determining stakeholder values required for the design of responsible technologies. This argument is supported by the claim that the moral intuitions of stakeholders allow designers to conceptualize stakeholder values and incorporate them into the early phases of design. It is concluded that design-for-values (DFV) frameworks like the VSD methodology can remain potent if developers adopt heuristic tools to diminish the influence of cognitive biases thus strengthening the reliability of moral intuitions. |
 | Umbrello, Steven Book Review: Phil Torres's Morality, Foresight, and Human Flourishing: An Introduction to Existential Risks Journal Article In: Futures, vol. 98, no. April, pp. 90–91, 2018, ISSN: 00163287. @article{Umbrello2018k,
title = {Book Review: Phil Torres's Morality, Foresight, and Human Flourishing: An Introduction to Existential Risks},
author = {Steven Umbrello},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001632871730263X?via%3Dihub https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S001632871730263X},
doi = {10.1016/j.futures.2018.02.007},
issn = {00163287},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-04-01},
journal = {Futures},
volume = {98},
number = {April},
pages = {90--91},
abstract = {A new book by Phil Torres, Morality, Foresight, and Human Flourishing: An Introduction to Existential Risks, is reviewed. Morality, Foresight and Human Flourishing is a primer intended to introduce students and interested scholars to the concepts and literature on existential risk. The book's core methodology is to outline the various existential risks currently discussed in different disciplines and provides novel strategies for risk mitigation. The book is stylistically engaging, lucid and academically current, providing both novice readers and seasoned scholars with an easy-to-read introduction to risk studies. The book is by far the most engaging and comprehensive volume on risk studies aimed at captivating new scholars to the field.},
keywords = {},
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A new book by Phil Torres, Morality, Foresight, and Human Flourishing: An Introduction to Existential Risks, is reviewed. Morality, Foresight and Human Flourishing is a primer intended to introduce students and interested scholars to the concepts and literature on existential risk. The book's core methodology is to outline the various existential risks currently discussed in different disciplines and provides novel strategies for risk mitigation. The book is stylistically engaging, lucid and academically current, providing both novice readers and seasoned scholars with an easy-to-read introduction to risk studies. The book is by far the most engaging and comprehensive volume on risk studies aimed at captivating new scholars to the field. |
 | LaGrandeur, Kevin Nietzsche and Transhumanism: Precursor or Enemy? Journal Article In: The Agonist, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 113-117, 2018. @article{LaGrandeur2018,
title = {Nietzsche and Transhumanism: Precursor or Enemy?},
author = {Kevin LaGrandeur},
url = {https://agonist.nietzschecircle.com/wp/},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-03-01},
journal = {The Agonist},
volume = {11},
number = {2},
pages = {113-117},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
|
 | Umbrello, Steven Humankind: solidarity with nonhuman people Journal Article In: Journal of Critical Realism, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 84–86, 2018, ISSN: 1476-7430. @article{Umbrello2018c,
title = {Humankind: solidarity with nonhuman people},
author = {Steven Umbrello},
url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14767430.2018.1437878},
doi = {10.1080/14767430.2018.1437878},
issn = {1476-7430},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Critical Realism},
volume = {17},
number = {1},
pages = {84--86},
abstract = {A new book by Timothy Morton, Humankind: Solidarity with Nonhuman People, is reviewed. Humankind: Solidarity with Nonhuman People is a project into the applied political ethics that emerge between speculative realism and Marxism. This book is intended to build on the object-oriented ontology that Morton has espoused in previous volumes, however with a greater emphasis on normative politics. The book's core methodology is to outline the various neologisms that Morton employs and incorporate those speculative realist terms into a retooling of Marxist. The book dialogue prose is a poetic tour de force that is both academically and philosophically rigorous. Morton provides a novel reworking of Marxist theory that can exist on the cutting edge of continental philosophy.},
keywords = {},
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A new book by Timothy Morton, Humankind: Solidarity with Nonhuman People, is reviewed. Humankind: Solidarity with Nonhuman People is a project into the applied political ethics that emerge between speculative realism and Marxism. This book is intended to build on the object-oriented ontology that Morton has espoused in previous volumes, however with a greater emphasis on normative politics. The book's core methodology is to outline the various neologisms that Morton employs and incorporate those speculative realist terms into a retooling of Marxist. The book dialogue prose is a poetic tour de force that is both academically and philosophically rigorous. Morton provides a novel reworking of Marxist theory that can exist on the cutting edge of continental philosophy. |
 | Umbrello, Steven A Theory of Everything? Journal Article In: Cultural Studies Review, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 184–186, 2018. @article{Umbrello2018db,
title = {A Theory of Everything?},
author = {Steven Umbrello},
doi = {10.5130/csr.v24i1.6318},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-01-01},
journal = {Cultural Studies Review},
volume = {24},
number = {2},
pages = {184--186},
abstract = {Harman is generally regarded as the father of object-oriented ontology, one of the few
instantiations of speculative realism, a philosophical position that criticizes the anthropocentric
post-Kantian position that all being is the reduction of the correlation between human
cognition and the object of inquiry.His 1999 doctoral dissertation “Tool-Being: Elements
in a Theory of Objects,” launched the term ‘object-oriented philosophy,' which Levi Bryant
rechristened as an ontology in 2009. Both terms are used synonymously by speculative realists,
although Bryant's formulation has greater typological appeal. With this book, Harman ignites
the philosophical domain by providing the first dedicated account of OOO for a general
readership.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Harman is generally regarded as the father of object-oriented ontology, one of the few
instantiations of speculative realism, a philosophical position that criticizes the anthropocentric
post-Kantian position that all being is the reduction of the correlation between human
cognition and the object of inquiry.His 1999 doctoral dissertation “Tool-Being: Elements
in a Theory of Objects,” launched the term ‘object-oriented philosophy,' which Levi Bryant
rechristened as an ontology in 2009. Both terms are used synonymously by speculative realists,
although Bryant's formulation has greater typological appeal. With this book, Harman ignites
the philosophical domain by providing the first dedicated account of OOO for a general
readership. |
 | Umbrello, Steven A Review of Leonardo Caffo and Azzurra Muzzonigro's Journal Article In: Journal of Futures Studies, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 101–103, 2018, ISBN: 9788845295782. @article{Umbrello2018e,
title = {A Review of Leonardo Caffo and Azzurra Muzzonigro's },
author = {Steven Umbrello},
url = {https://jfsdigital.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Costruire-Futuri-book-review.pdf},
doi = {10.6531/JFS.201812_23(2).0007},
isbn = {9788845295782},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-01-01},
booktitle = {Journal of Futures Studies},
journal = {Journal of Futures Studies},
volume = {23},
number = {1},
pages = {101--103},
abstract = {Modernism has provided a strong case for technoprogressivism, innovation and speculation on future possibilities. However, drastic and often devastating consequences have followed modernism such as global warming and mass biodiversity loss. In Leonardo Caffo and Azzurra Muzzonigro's new book 1 , a case for posthumanism as a means for envisioning and rethinking futures studies is argued and practical means by which those futures can be realized are outlined. A critique of modernity and grand narratives of unification, Caffo and Muzzonigro aim to revaluate contemporaneity to imagine more authentic futures and the means by which peoples can realize them. At its core, Costruire Futuri (literally, Constructing Futures) is a prototypical work in posthumanist ethics, but anything but aprototypical in its execution. The authors contend that the hybridization between the disciplines of philosophy, art and architecture are essential engines for change. Similarly, the book itself is constructed as a hybrid project rather than one of simple interdisciplinarity, one that hybridizes the three disciplines as co-constituting one another. The central thesis here is that constructing futures means correcting past errors as if they are causes rather than mere consequences. The past is alive, embodied and continually transforming current and future practices. Similarly, envisioned futures shape the present and affect the hermeneutics of the past.},
keywords = {},
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Modernism has provided a strong case for technoprogressivism, innovation and speculation on future possibilities. However, drastic and often devastating consequences have followed modernism such as global warming and mass biodiversity loss. In Leonardo Caffo and Azzurra Muzzonigro's new book 1 , a case for posthumanism as a means for envisioning and rethinking futures studies is argued and practical means by which those futures can be realized are outlined. A critique of modernity and grand narratives of unification, Caffo and Muzzonigro aim to revaluate contemporaneity to imagine more authentic futures and the means by which peoples can realize them. At its core, Costruire Futuri (literally, Constructing Futures) is a prototypical work in posthumanist ethics, but anything but aprototypical in its execution. The authors contend that the hybridization between the disciplines of philosophy, art and architecture are essential engines for change. Similarly, the book itself is constructed as a hybrid project rather than one of simple interdisciplinarity, one that hybridizes the three disciplines as co-constituting one another. The central thesis here is that constructing futures means correcting past errors as if they are causes rather than mere consequences. The past is alive, embodied and continually transforming current and future practices. Similarly, envisioned futures shape the present and affect the hermeneutics of the past. |
| Umbrello, Steven A Review of Leonardo Caffo and Azzurra Muzzonigro's "Costruire Futuri: Migrazioni, città, immaginazioni" Journal Article In: Journal of Futures Studies, vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 101–104, 2018. @article{Umbrello2018ab,
title = {A Review of Leonardo Caffo and Azzurra Muzzonigro's "Costruire Futuri: Migrazioni, città, immaginazioni"},
author = {Steven Umbrello},
url = {https://jfsdigital.org/a-review-of-leonardo-caffo-and-azzurra-muzzonigros-costruire-futuri-migrazioni-citta-immaginazioni/},
doi = {10.6531/JFS.201812_23(2).0007},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Futures Studies},
volume = {23},
number = {2},
pages = {101--104},
abstract = {Modernism has provided a strong case for technoprogressivism, innovation and speculation on future possibilities. However, drastic and often devastating consequences have followed modernism such as global warming and mass biodiversity loss. In Leonardo Caffo and Azzurra Muzzonigro's new book 1 , a case for posthumanism as a means for envisioning and rethinking futures studies is argued and practical means by which those futures can be realized are outlined. A critique of modernity and grand narratives of unification, Caffo and Muzzonigro aim to revaluate contemporaneity to imagine more authentic futures and the means by which peoples can realize them. At its core, Costruire Futuri (literally, Constructing Futures) is a prototypical work in posthumanist ethics, but anything but aprototypical in its execution. The authors contend that the hybridization between the disciplines of philosophy, art and architecture are essential engines for change. Similarly, the book itself is constructed as a hybrid project rather than one of simple interdisciplinarity, one that hybridizes the three disciplines as co-constituting one another. The central thesis here is that constructing futures means correcting past errors as if they are causes rather than mere consequences. The past is alive, embodied and continually transforming current and future practices. Similarly, envisioned futures shape the present and affect the hermeneutics of the past.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
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}
Modernism has provided a strong case for technoprogressivism, innovation and speculation on future possibilities. However, drastic and often devastating consequences have followed modernism such as global warming and mass biodiversity loss. In Leonardo Caffo and Azzurra Muzzonigro's new book 1 , a case for posthumanism as a means for envisioning and rethinking futures studies is argued and practical means by which those futures can be realized are outlined. A critique of modernity and grand narratives of unification, Caffo and Muzzonigro aim to revaluate contemporaneity to imagine more authentic futures and the means by which peoples can realize them. At its core, Costruire Futuri (literally, Constructing Futures) is a prototypical work in posthumanist ethics, but anything but aprototypical in its execution. The authors contend that the hybridization between the disciplines of philosophy, art and architecture are essential engines for change. Similarly, the book itself is constructed as a hybrid project rather than one of simple interdisciplinarity, one that hybridizes the three disciplines as co-constituting one another. The central thesis here is that constructing futures means correcting past errors as if they are causes rather than mere consequences. The past is alive, embodied and continually transforming current and future practices. Similarly, envisioned futures shape the present and affect the hermeneutics of the past. |
 | Umbrello, Steven The Rise of Realism Journal Article In: International Journal of Actor-Network Theory and Technological Innovation, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 63–66, 2017, ISBN: 9781509519026. @article{Umbrello2017,
title = {The Rise of Realism},
author = {Steven Umbrello},
url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322964127_The_Rise_of_Realism_Reviewed_by_Steven_Umbrello},
isbn = {9781509519026},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-01-01},
journal = {International Journal of Actor-Network Theory and Technological Innovation},
volume = {9},
number = {2},
pages = {63--66},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
|
 | Umbrello, Steven Designing in Ethics Journal Article In: Prometheus: Critical Studies in Innovation, vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 160–161, 2017, ISBN: 9780511844317. @article{Umbrello2018i,
title = {Designing in Ethics},
author = {Steven Umbrello},
doi = {10.1017/9780511844317},
isbn = {9780511844317},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-01-01},
journal = {Prometheus: Critical Studies in Innovation},
volume = {35},
number = {2},
pages = {160--161},
abstract = {Many of our interactions in the twenty-first century - both good and bad - take place by means of institutions, technology, and artefacts. We inhabit a world of implements, instruments, devices, systems, gadgets, and infrastructures. Technology is not only something that we make, but is also something that in many ways makes us. The discipline of ethics must take this constitutive feature of institutions and technology into account; thus, ethics must in turn be embedded in our institutions and technology. The contributors to this book argue that the methodology of 'designing in ethics' - addressing and resolving the issues raised by technology through the use of appropriate technological design - is the way to achieve this integration. They apply their original methodology to a wide range of institutions and technologies, using case studies from the fields of healthcare, media and security. Their volume will be important for philosophical practitioners and theorists alike.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
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Many of our interactions in the twenty-first century - both good and bad - take place by means of institutions, technology, and artefacts. We inhabit a world of implements, instruments, devices, systems, gadgets, and infrastructures. Technology is not only something that we make, but is also something that in many ways makes us. The discipline of ethics must take this constitutive feature of institutions and technology into account; thus, ethics must in turn be embedded in our institutions and technology. The contributors to this book argue that the methodology of 'designing in ethics' - addressing and resolving the issues raised by technology through the use of appropriate technological design - is the way to achieve this integration. They apply their original methodology to a wide range of institutions and technologies, using case studies from the fields of healthcare, media and security. Their volume will be important for philosophical practitioners and theorists alike. |
 | LaGrandeur, Kevin Ancient Definitions of Personhood and Difficult Social Precedents: The Homunculus, the Golem, and Aristotle Journal Article In: Journal of Evolution and Technology, vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 20-26, 2014. @article{LaGrandeur2014,
title = {Ancient Definitions of Personhood and Difficult Social Precedents: The Homunculus, the Golem, and Aristotle},
author = {Kevin LaGrandeur},
url = {http://jetpress.org/v24.3/LaGrandeur.htm},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-09-01},
journal = {Journal of Evolution and Technology},
volume = {24},
number = {3},
pages = {20-26},
abstract = {This article discusses the basic philosophical and legal standards applied to defining the existential status of two artificial androids, the golem and the homunculus, during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, when their creation was actually considered possible and often believed to be an accomplished fact. It will also show how the historical definition of personhood has generally coincided with Aristotle’s notions, which he provides mainly to determine who is worthy of slavery. These sorts of historical stances on personhood are important because they elucidate the difficult social precedents facing any redefinition of non-human personhood today.”},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This article discusses the basic philosophical and legal standards applied to defining the existential status of two artificial androids, the golem and the homunculus, during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, when their creation was actually considered possible and often believed to be an accomplished fact. It will also show how the historical definition of personhood has generally coincided with Aristotle’s notions, which he provides mainly to determine who is worthy of slavery. These sorts of historical stances on personhood are important because they elucidate the difficult social precedents facing any redefinition of non-human personhood today.” |
 | LaGrandeur, Kevin The Persistent Peril of the Artificial Slave Journal Article In: Science Fiction Studies, vol. 38, no. 2, pp. 232-252, 2011. @article{LaGrandeur2011,
title = {The Persistent Peril of the Artificial Slave},
author = {Kevin LaGrandeur},
url = {https://www.academia.edu/704751/_The_Persistent_Peril_of_the_Artificial_Slave_},
doi = {10.5621/sciefictstud.38.2.0232},
year = {2011},
date = {2011-07-01},
journal = {Science Fiction Studies},
volume = {38},
number = {2},
pages = {232-252},
abstract = {This article surveys and analyzes the pre-industrial history of artificial humanoid servants and their historical persistence. The idea of artificial slaves—and questions about their tractability—is present not only in the literature of modern times but also extends all the way back to ancient Greek sources; and it is present in the literature and oral history of the Middle Ages and Renaissance as well. Furthermore, at each of these intervals, this idea is connected with an emotional paradox: the joy of self-enhancement is counterpoised with the anxiety of self-displacement that comes with distribution of agency. The idea of rebellious and dangerous artificial slaves is an archetype that spans Western history and persists not only in the pre-modern and modern imaginations, via stories about rebellious AI servants, but also in ancient scientific accounts and in modern systems theory, which is the basis for real AI.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
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This article surveys and analyzes the pre-industrial history of artificial humanoid servants and their historical persistence. The idea of artificial slaves—and questions about their tractability—is present not only in the literature of modern times but also extends all the way back to ancient Greek sources; and it is present in the literature and oral history of the Middle Ages and Renaissance as well. Furthermore, at each of these intervals, this idea is connected with an emotional paradox: the joy of self-enhancement is counterpoised with the anxiety of self-displacement that comes with distribution of agency. The idea of rebellious and dangerous artificial slaves is an archetype that spans Western history and persists not only in the pre-modern and modern imaginations, via stories about rebellious AI servants, but also in ancient scientific accounts and in modern systems theory, which is the basis for real AI. |
 | LaGrandeur, Kevin Do Medieval and Renaissance Androids Presage the Posthuman? Journal Article In: CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 1-10, 2010. @article{LaGrandeur2010,
title = {Do Medieval and Renaissance Androids Presage the Posthuman?},
author = {Kevin LaGrandeur},
url = {https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/clcweb/vol12/iss3/3/},
doi = {10.7771/1481-4374.1553},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-09-01},
journal = {CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture},
volume = {12},
number = {3},
pages = {1-10},
abstract = {In his article "Do Medieval and Renaissance Androids Presage the Posthuman?" Kevin LaGrandeur analyzes the relationships between literary images of artificial humans associated with medieval alchemists and alchemy, their modified reemergence in the Renaissance, and how such androids may forecast the idea of a posthuman subjectivity that is connected with their present-day descendents. For example, the talking brass heads in Robert Greene's two Renaissance plays, The Honorable History of Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay and Alphonsus, Prince of Aragon have their roots in Arabic sources, and the former derives specifically from legends concerning the thirteenth-century alchemist and philosopher Roger Bacon. These early instances of the artificial anthropoid also anticipate, in a broad sense, the kinds of philosophical issues regarding subjectivity that cyborgs bring up for our "posthuman" society. The literature of the earlier era also represents a fear that humans will be diminished-all of the creators in the fictional literature examined are in danger of losing control of their creations, and thus of having their agency called into dispute.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
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In his article "Do Medieval and Renaissance Androids Presage the Posthuman?" Kevin LaGrandeur analyzes the relationships between literary images of artificial humans associated with medieval alchemists and alchemy, their modified reemergence in the Renaissance, and how such androids may forecast the idea of a posthuman subjectivity that is connected with their present-day descendents. For example, the talking brass heads in Robert Greene's two Renaissance plays, The Honorable History of Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay and Alphonsus, Prince of Aragon have their roots in Arabic sources, and the former derives specifically from legends concerning the thirteenth-century alchemist and philosopher Roger Bacon. These early instances of the artificial anthropoid also anticipate, in a broad sense, the kinds of philosophical issues regarding subjectivity that cyborgs bring up for our "posthuman" society. The literature of the earlier era also represents a fear that humans will be diminished-all of the creators in the fictional literature examined are in danger of losing control of their creations, and thus of having their agency called into dispute. |
