STAS111: Science, Technology, Society - Human Flourishing, Good Life, and Future Scenarios

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering Science, Technology & Society (STAS111) lecture topics: human flourishing, philosophical views on technology and good life, societal collapse models, and future post-humanity scenarios.

Artificial Intelligence

The simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions.

True Value of Technology

The principle that technology's ultimate worth is not about replacing human experience, but mitigating its deficiencies.

Social Engineering

An idea originating in the 18th-century Enlightenment period viewing society as a human tool that is gradually perfected, providing the ideological basis for institutions like the welfare state and development aid organizations.

The Progress Paradox

A perspective articulated by Easterbrook (2003) arguing that the decline of the church, family, and local community deprives modern people of quality of life despite material progress.

Societal Collapse (Joseph Tainter)

A theory (1990) stating that societies protect essential resources by growing in complexity (bureaucracy, infrastructure, military); when marginal returns on social complexity become unfavorable and overheads too large, breakdown occurs.

Societal Collapse (Jared Diamond)

A framework explaining societal collapse through environmental factors such as deforestation, habitat destruction, soil and water management problems, overhunting, overfishing, introduced species, and human population growth.

Local Societal Collapse

A small-scale collapse of an individual society (such as the Roman Empire) that is doubtful to determine the future of humanity because surviving advanced societies continue where the failed society left off.

Global Societal Collapse

A catastrophic breakdown affecting human civilization as a whole, driven by threats like nuclear holocaust, global environmental catastrophes, or systemic vulnerability from globalization and interdependence.

Static View

An implausible future scenario assuming that humanity has reached its final condition and that rapid ongoing trends in technology, wealth, and population will cease.

Technological Singularity

A concept tied specifically to artificial intelligence stating that within thirty years, technological means will create superhuman intelligence, shortly after which the human era will end.

The New Pandora's Box

A term referring to the emerging fields of genetics, nanotechnology, and robotics, which present major unforeseen existential hazards to humanity.

The Extinction Scenario

One of Nick Bostrom's (2004) four future scenarios in which humanity suffers total terminal collapse.

The Recurrent Collapse Scenario

A future scenario proposed by Nick Bostrom (2004) characterized by cycles of societal development followed by collapse, subsequent recovery, and repeated collapse.

The Plateau Scenario

One of Nick Bostrom's (2004) four future scenarios where human civilization grows, reaches a developmental threshold, ceases further expansion, and stabilizes.

Post Humanity Theory

A concept describing an advanced level of technology or economic development resulting in a radical change in the human condition, marked by criteria such as a population greater than $1\text{ trillion}$, life expectancy exceeding $500\text{ years}$, or cognitive capacities more than $2\text{ standard deviations}$ above the human maximum.

The Good Life (Carl Rogers)

Defined by American psychologist Carl Rogers as a process rather than a state of being, and a direction rather than a destination.

Right Action

Conduct based on morality that compels fulfilling one's duty and protecting individual rights by correctly applying a norm, premise, presupposition, rule, standard, or law.

Being Good

The cultivation of personal character and qualities justified by reason as having moral worth, centered on nurturing character and fostering relationships.

Aristotelian View of "Good"

The philosophical position that the understandability of the good is based on what is good for purposeful, goal-directed entities, specifically the activities in which human life functions are most fully realized.

Authentic Life (Martin Heidegger)

A mode of living characterized by deep acceptance of the facticity of death, resulting in a life lived according to its clearly chosen meaning and purpose rather than merely seeking a good life.

Philosophy of Technology

A branch of philosophy that studies the fundamental character of technology and its relations to human society.

Aristotelianism (View on Technology)

The viewpoint that technology is basically a means to an end, consisting of organizing techniques to meet human demands and primarily concerning the final product.

Causa Materialis (Material Cause)

In Aristotle's Four Causes (as illustrated via Heidegger's silver chalice), the raw matter or substance from which an object is made, such as silver.

Causa Formalis (Formal Cause)

In Aristotle's Four Causes, the specific form, shape, or design configured into the material.

Causa Finalis (Final Cause)

In Aristotle's Four Causes, the intended purpose, function, or end for which an artifact is brought into existence.

Causa Efficiens (Efficient Cause)

In Aristotle's Four Causes, the maker, agent, or artisan who manufactures the technology, such as the silversmith.

Technological Optimism

The belief held by engineers, technologists, and the public that technology can alleviate difficulties and provide solutions for all human problems.

Technocratism

The extreme version of technological optimism that establishes technology as the supreme authority on all matters.

Technological Pessimism (Jacques Ellul)

The stance articulated by Jacques Ellul holding that technological progress exacts a price, generates more problems, and creates damaging, unpredictable devastating effects.

Instrumental and Anthropological Definition of Technology

The traditional view examined by Martin Heidegger defining technology as a means to an end and as a human activity.

Technology as a Way of Revealing

Martin Heidegger's fundamental definition of technology's essence beyond instrumentality, operating through physis and poiesis.

Physis

An ancient mode of revealing that involves manipulating nature and utilizing resources, such as turning a tree into a chair.

Poiesis

An ancient mode of revealing characterized by artistic bringing-forth and appreciation of life and nature, serving as the antidote to the dangers of enframing.

Enframing

The essence of modern technology according to Martin Heidegger, which aggressively challenges nature and forces it beyond its natural course.

Standing Reserve

The condition of nature under modern technological enframing, where it is treated strictly as a resource or stockpile on call for human manipulation.

Dasein

Martin Heidegger's philosophical term literally meaning 'being there,' referring to human existence defined by existing in a world and possessing a self that determines its meaning within that world.

Eudaimonia

An ancient Greek concept derived from 'eu' (good) and 'daemon' (spirit), meaning the state of having a good indwelling spirit and flourishing in a contented state of health, happiness, and prosperity through virtuous action.

Happiness (Epicurus)

A philosophy asserting that happiness must be pleasurable and is attained through balance and temperance, rejecting metaphysical abstractions.

Happiness (Friedrich Nietzsche)

A viewpoint defining happiness as an 'ideal state of laziness,' described as being free of any worries or distress in life.

Chaining Yourself to the Absurd (Albert Camus)

An existential stance acknowledging that life lacks intrinsic meaning and is flawed, while actively pursuing happiness and solidarity on a path that ultimately leads to death.