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Artifical vs Human?
Künstlich versus menschlich?
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:02:02
Abstract
KI-based machines and artificial agents are playing more and more a crucial role in our social and political life. Do they essentially differ from human intelligence and human actors or are they merely an (advanced) version of us? How should we judge on their role? For answering such questions one has to give an account of essential features of intelligence, reason, and agency.
Objective
Participants should learn to know some philosophical accounts of intelligence, reason, and agency. This knowledge should enable them to evaluate the pro and con of answers to questions of the following kind: 1. Is human deliberation and argumentation essentially algorithmic? 2. Is AI confined to smart solutions of given problems or is AI also able to revise the framing of problems? 3. Could artificial agents like robots be responsible for their behavior? 4. Do my smartphone and I constitute an extended, hybrid mind? 5. How should we deal with AI-based machines in our social and political life?
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- DS , DR , MSC
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Künstlich versus menschlich? |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Science in Perspective (In “Science in Perspective”-courses students learn to reflect on ETH’s STEM subjects from the perspective of humanities, political and social sciences. Only the courses listed below will be recognized as "Science in Perspective" courses.)
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Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence (SiP courses are recommended for bachelor students after their first-year examination and for all master- or doctoral students. All SiP courses are listed in Type A. Courses listed under Type B are only recommendations for enrollment for specific departments.)
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Doctorate Humanities, Social and Political Sciences (More Information at: )