What is Natural Intelligence?
No Class on April 3rd
March 20, 27, April 10, 17, 24, May 1
On-Campus – Friday 10:10 am – 11:50 am
Prior to the current questions about Artificial Intelligence, we have to ask: What are the distinct forms of human intelligence? Can artificial intelligence be useful without consultation with the human beings who have thus far initiated all human cultures and societies? Does artificial intelligence have the characteristics of being humane to its human subjects as it develops in creativity?
As a group research project, we will try to identify the different elements of human cognition as simply phenomena which we all experience. These include the objective patterns of thinking, and also the subjective patterns of “the self.”
This is not an academic course, but we will use the insights of history, philosophy and theology to track how understandings of understanding have evolved. In addition, we examine whether information-media paint their pictures for us in a “homogenized form” rather than with rough-edged reality. How does intelligence learn, grow and develop in a humane manner as a result of facing mistakes and causing harm and suffering? What is “true,” and how can we keep hold of it?
- Week 1 – Overview of the Issues – What is “understanding?” What are its parts? The role of memory, feeling, imagination, etc. Class protocol on learning together.
- Week 2 – The role of being human (a human subject) in understanding. What is objectivity, subjectivity? The role of sympathy, empathy and a sense of “other.”
- Week 3 – Human beings living within their own and each other’s patterns. Understanding versus patterning; copying; choosing; creating. What is humane versus human?
- Week 4 – History as a subjective narrative as well as objective facts. The roles of story, myth, music, wisdom and all forms of “wisdom literature.”
- Week 5 – Intent and acquired facts and values which govern our outlook and attitude. What is criminal intent versus humane or simply human intent? Intentionality analysis.
- Week 6 – The two processes of understanding. The role of others—cooperation, control, or…? The human cycles of progress, decline and stability. Comedy and tragedy. Keeping one’s fundamental human understanding active and properly exercised, keeping natural and artificial understanding firmly in their place.
Donald Thompson holds a master’s degree from Harvard University and a doctorate from McGill University. He has taught ethics, religious studies and theology at Canadian universities, where he also served as President, Vice Chancellor and Director of Studies. He has also served as General Secretary of the Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion in New York City. Since retiring, he has led multiple courses relating to philosophy and ethics at LLI.