220108 Historical Perspectives on Artificial Life (S) (SoSe 2013)

Die Veranstaltung findet statt vom 28.5. bis 17.7., Di 12-14 und Mi 14-16. Sie kann idealerweise belegt werden zusammen mit der Veranstaltung von Carsten Reinhardt "History, Philosophy, and Sociology of Biodiversity", die vorausgehend vom 9.4. bis 22.5. ebenfalls Di 12-14 und Mi 14-16 stattfindet.

This course deals with one of the most far-reaching developments in modern history: the process by which science and technology have gained the power to do what was once reserved to God and Nature, namely, to create life. We will make a preliminary exploration of the history of the creation of artificial life-forms (broadly defined to include synthesized bio-organic chemicals, genes, cells, and organisms, as well as clones, "test tube babies," artificial mechanical organs, artificial intelligence in computer form, and robots). In our investigation, we will consider a range of views including those of the scientists involved in research, prophetic literary observers from Mary Shelley to the present, politicians and businessmen, the military, and the general public. The course is historical rather than technical, but we will learn enough about the techniques involved to understand their origins and at least some of their implications for modern society and culture. Our goal will be to establish a dialogue between those who welcome the potential benefits of artificial life and those who fear its potential dangers.
The following books will be required reading (listed roughly in order of use in the course; additional short selections will be made accessible to students as PDF documents):
Mary Shelley, Frankenstein: or The Modern Prometheus (1818 edition; Broadview, 2012 [3rd ed.]) [Note: the 3rd edition, with supplementary documents, is preferred; this is available in an inexpensive ebook edition at: http://www.broadviewpress.com/product.php?productid=1117&cat=77&page=1;
There are also free online versions of the 1818 text (without documents) at:
http://www.brian-t-murphy.com/Frankenstein.htm or: http://www.rc.umd.edu/editions/frankenstein/1818v1/title.html]
Karel Čapek, R.U.R. (Dover, 2001) [Note: earlier editions are also acceptable; there are also free versions available online at: http://preprints.readingroo.ms/RUR/rur.pdf or:
http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/c/capek/karel/rur/index.html (accessed April 8, 2013)]
Aldous Huxley, Brave New World (HarperCollins, 2006) [Note: other editions are also acceptable; there is a free online version at: http://www.idph.com.br/conteudos/ebooks/BraveNewWorld.pdf]
Ian Wilmut & Roger Highfield, After Dolly: The Promise and Perils of Cloning (W. W. Norton, 2007) (alternate title, identical content in hardcover: After Dolly: The Uses and Misuses of Human Cloning (W. W. Norton, 2006) [some chapters may be available electronically]

We will also view and discuss some films, like Frankenstein, Blade Runner, other features on related themes, and some documentaries such as Dawn of the Clone Age (1998).
Written work will consist of two short (3- or 4-page) essays on the readings or films, as well as a final essay on the course as a whole. Meeting twice a week, the course will feature intensive discussions based on the readings and films, with brief introductory lectures (in English) by the instructor. Although the course is intended to be conducted in English, the instructor is also fluent in German, which may be used where needed to facilitate discussion.