Can you discuss briefly some notable examples from literature and the visual arts which have contributed to the exploration of the concept “what it means to be human?”
"Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick is indeed a notable example of exploring the concept of what it means to be "human." The novel delves into several themes that challenge traditional definitions of humanity, particularly through the lens of empathy, identity, and the nature of consciousness.
One of the central themes of the novel is the exploration of empathy and its role in defining humanity. The protagonist, Rick Deckard, is tasked with "retiring" (destroying) androids that have escaped to Earth. Throughout the story, Deckard struggles with his own sense of empathy, particularly when he begins to empathize with the androids he is supposed to eliminate. This blurring of lines between human and android emotions raises questions about the nature of empathy and its significance in distinguishing between humans and machines.
Verifying humanity has been a theme in literature and visual arts throughout history, often explored through allegory and metaphor.
For example Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" explores themes of creation and humanity. Although, the creature of Dr. Frankenstein is assembled from human parts, is rejected by society and struggles to find acceptance. The creature's quest for understanding and companionship raises questions about the nature of humanity and what it means to belong to it.
I think this is still a philosophical question, rather than a science problem. It's an interesting question, especially as recent AI developments present us with a much more human-like way of interacting with information processing systems. I'll have to re-read the novel by Philip K Dick, I was quite a fan of sci-fi many years ago.
I think we have a natural ability or tendency to project our 'humanness' onto (or anthropomorphise) things that appear human-like. That needs to be taken into account when thinking about this question.
- Badges
- Science topic