Q#1:
Choose one of the following options for your Post:
Option #1 – Transhumanism
After reading this week’s Required Learning Materials, review Bostrom’s “Transhumanist FAQs” and Torresen’s “A Review of Future and Ethical Perspectives of Robotics and AI.” please do the following:
- Provide a brief description of transhumanism in your own words. This should be a paraphrase and/or summary of the description in Bostrom. (Please see tips on paraphrasing here. Please see tips on summarizing here.)
- Choose one of the forms of cutting edge technology from the FAQ (nanotechnology, biological warfare, artificial intelligence, nuclear technology) and find and describe a real-life example of it. Your real-life example should be from a reliable article in a popular technology publication or an article in the UMGC library.
- Explain why the technology you chose would appeal to transhumanists.
- Discuss one ethical issue that could arise from the widespread use of the technology you chose. You can refer back to the Learning Materials from week 3 if needed.
- Use two quotes from the Required Learning Materials to support or explain your points. Make sure to provide in-text citations for both quotes in MLA format.
- Provide references for all sources in MLA format.
Examples of popular technology publications that can be used for this question include:
- Wired Magazine
- MIT Technology Review
- Tech Briefs
- GeekTime
- ComputerWorld
- Innovation & Tech Today
- Digit Magazine
- Trotons Tech Magazine
Option #2: Human vs. Machine?
After reading this week’s Required Learning Materials, review Barfield’s “Cyborgs and Enhancement Technology,” Rubin’s “Robotic Souls,” and Shanahan’s chapter, “Heaven or Hell,” please do the following:
- Identify and describe three specific ways our current understanding of a human being can be called into question, complicated, or changed by technological advances. Be sure to refer to information in the Required Learning Materials for all of your answer.
- Explain one argument for why AI may never be able to replicate a human being completely. Be sure to refer to information in the Required Learning Materials.
- Based on what you have learned from the readings, determine and explain your answer to the question: “Can machines be human?” What do you think and why?
- Use two quotes from the Required Learning Materials to support or explain your points. Make sure to provide in-text citations for both quotes in MLA format.
- Provide references for all sources in MLA format.
******PLEASE see attached for articles*****
Q#2:
Last week we explored deflation, which was one of the risks that arose from the Great Recession. This week, we want to focus more directly on the macroeconomic policy responses to the Great Recession. Chapter 15 provides a useful and detailed starting point for the discussion.
Because there are many aspects to the macroeconomic response, both in the US and in Europe, build from the information in Chapter 15 and select one or more aspects of the policy responses to explore in more detail. Monetary policy, as well as fiscal policy, responses are appropriate for examination.
Use this as an opportunity to examine an aspect of the US response or the UK’s or European Central Bank’s response to this challenge that is of particular interest to you.
****PLEASE see attached for Macroeconomics Chapter 15 for information******