The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast – PREMIUM-PEL Nightcap 7-9-23

Intro

In this episode of “The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast,” the hosts delve into the philosophy of technology and its implications on society. They explore various angles, including the augmentation of human beings, the relationship between technology and means of production, and the impact of handheld devices and social media. The episode also touches on the historical critique of technology and the rise of AI.

Main Takeaways

Impacts of Technology on Society

• Issues related to technology and its effects on society have been around since the Industrial Revolution and the scientific revolution.
• The effects of technology on society have been critiqued by philosophers and writers throughout history, such as Thoreau’s critique of the telegraph and news media.

Exploring AI and Its Implications

• With the rise of AI, there is a need to explore the philosophical implications of this technology.
• Some individuals are wary of AI and do not want to know more about its developments or applications.
• The speaker initially did not find AI interesting enough for a podcast episode.

Ethics of Technology

• Ethics of technology, such as medical or environmental ethics, are seen as policy issues with practical solutions rather than deep ethical questions.
• Practical problems such as privacy of medical records can have ethical implications but ultimately come down to a practical solution.
• Compliance and ethics courses in companies focus on legal compliance rather than actual ethical principles.
• When penalties for unethical behavior come down to just fines, it becomes a question of profit versus loss rather than right versus wrong.

Ethics in Mental Health and Business

• Ethics in mental health can be tricky, as providers may have different boundaries with patients.
• Philosophical ethics and business ethics are different and should not be confused.
• There are whole courses on the philosophy of technology and business ethics.

Heidegger’s Philosophy on Technology

• Heidegger’s essay on technology may be worth an entire episode.
• Heidegger’s philosophy centers around the idea of letting beings be and not objectifying them.

Summary

Exploring the Impacts of Technology on Society

The hosts discuss the historical critique of technology, highlighting how issues related to technology and its effects on society have been present since the Industrial Revolution and the scientific revolution. They emphasize the importance of examining the impacts of technology on society, drawing examples from Thoreau’s critique of the telegraph and news media.

Unpacking the Implications of AI

The rise of AI prompts the hosts to delve into its philosophical implications. They acknowledge that while some individuals are wary of AI and prefer not to delve into its developments or applications, it is crucial to explore this technology further. The hosts share their initial skepticism regarding dedicating a podcast episode to AI.

Considering the Ethics of Technology

The hosts discuss the ethics of technology, highlighting that certain ethical issues, such as medical or environmental ethics, are often treated as policy matters with practical solutions rather than deep ethical questions. They delve into the practical implications of ethical problems, such as the privacy of medical records, and how compliance and ethics courses in companies tend to focus on legal compliance rather than ethical principles. The hosts also address the dilemma of unethical behavior being reduced to financial considerations.

Exploring Ethics in Mental Health and Business

The hosts navigate the complexities of ethics in mental health, acknowledging that providers may have different boundaries with patients. They emphasize the distinction between philosophical ethics and business ethics, cautioning against confusing the two. The hosts also mention the availability of dedicated courses on the philosophy of technology and business ethics.

Heidegger’s Philosophy on Technology

The hosts briefly touch upon Heidegger’s philosophy on technology, suggesting that his essay on the topic deserves an entire episode. They highlight the central idea of letting beings be and avoiding their objectification, providing a glimpse into the depth and relevance of Heidegger’s perspective.

Conclusion

This episode of “The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast” explores the philosophy of technology and its multifaceted implications. From historical critiques to the rise of AI and ethical considerations, the hosts provide thought-provoking insights into the complex relationship between technology and society.