he “St. Maxim the Greek” Institute, in collaboration with the Office of the Orthodox Church in the European Union, is organizing an International Scientific Conference titled POSTHUMANISM AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (PHAICON 2024), to be held at the Divani Caravel Hotel in Athens from November 18 to November 21, 2024.
One hundred and fifteen experts will address, among other things, the scientific and socio-economic data and achievements of Artificial Intelligence, philosophical and theological perspectives, ethics and deontology, theories of transhumanism and posthumanism in relation to theology and philosophical thought, the anthropology of transhumanism and posthumanism, deconstructive rights-based thinking, and the woke culture, as well as the Orthodox anthropology and pastoral approach in relation to transhumanism, Artificial Intelligence, and human rights.
From the humanism of Modernity and the Enlightenment, there emerged great confidence in the power of human reason and the potential of the human spirit to determine not only the course of life but also its codes of values. However, what followed in the twentieth century did not confirm the anthropological optimism of modernity. Despite significant scientific achievements and social advancements, humanity emerged deeply scarred from two World Wars, from holocausts, genocides, ethnic cleansings, divisions, totalitarian regimes, and the Cold War.
Modern societies have recognized the need for science and ethics to progress together. However, ethics has been unable to keep pace with the rapid developments in biomedical technology, the digital ecosystem, cybernetics, and robotics, all of which create new realities for life and foster expectations that are increasingly viewed less as science fiction scenarios.
Artificial Intelligence, the latest achievement of scientific applications, has already taken over a large portion of daily life, serving human needs through the digital ecosystem and automation. However, the prospect of it rising to levels where it connects with human nature and the human person raises significant questions in the fields of ethics, anthropology, science, philosophy, and theology.
The analyses by contemporary thinkers, who link Artificial Intelligence to the evolution of the human species, introduce new terms such as transhumanism and posthumanism. These terms have already been widely discussed in scientific, philosophical, and theological circles. Without a doubt, they will soon draw attention from political and legal spheres as well.
The working languages of the Conference will be Greek and English.
The PHAICON 2024 Conference will also be broadcast online via international digital platforms.
Admission for those wishing to participate in the conference is FREE. Registration will take place at the Conference Secretariat.