Students will acquire an understanding of the fundamental problems of the philosophy of technology, with special emphasis on biomedical technologies.
Course Prerequisites
None
Teaching Methods
Frontal lectures followed by class discussion and student presentations.
Assessment Methods
Group presentation
Texts
1. M. Fasoli – G. Piredda (2023), Filosofia, tecnologia e scienze della mente, Il Mulino, Bologna.
2. M. Motterlini, V. Crupi (2005), Decisioni mediche. Un punto di vista cognitivo, Raffaello Cortina, Milano.
3. V. Tripodi (2020), Etica delle tecniche. Una filosofia per progettare il futuro, Mondadori Università, Milano.
4. K. Jaspers (1991), Il medico nell’età della tecnica, Raffaello Cortina Editore.
5. K.C. Elliott (2022). Values in Science. Cambridge University Press.
Contents
The course will be organized into two modules. The first module aims to introduce the central issues of philosophy and ethics of technology from a cognitive perspective. Using the tools of philosophy and ethics of technology, the ethical aspects of using technology in the medical field will be analyzed (neutrality vs. technological determinism; theory of technological mediation; enhanced decision-making). This module will pay particular attention to the relationship between technology and the mind, from both a cognitive and affective standpoint. Through the approach of the philosophy of technology and cognitive sciences, the module aims to foster a critical approach of the use of technological tools in the medical field and how they can influence professional practice and scientific research. Some of the topics covered in the module will be: What is a technological object? What is the relationship between the mind and technology? Are we natural cyborgs? How does technology influence our cognitive and affective life? Is technology neutral or value-laden? How does technology influence the professional practice of a doctor specifically?
The second module addresses the contemporary debate on inductive risk in the philosophy of science. After some brief introductory notes, the module is organized into four thematic lessons: (1) Inductive Risk (Recommended reading: Douglas, Heather (2000). Inductive risk and values in science. Philosophy of Science 67 (4):559-579); (2) Epistemic and Non-Epistemic Values (Recommended reading: Longino, Helen E. (1996). Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Values in Science: Rethinking the Dichotomy. In Lynn Hankinson Nelson & Jack Nelson (eds.), Feminism, Science, and the Philosophy of Science. Kluwer Academic Publishers. pp. 39–58); (3) Value-Free Science (Recommended reading: Bright, Liam Kofi (2018). Du Bois’ democratic defence of the value free ideal. Synthese 195 (5):2227-2245); (4) Non-Epistemic Values in Medical Practice (Recommended reading: Kukla, Rebecca (2019). Infertility, epistemic risk, and disease definitions. Synthese 196 (11):4409-4428).
Course Language
Italian
More information
Students who are unable to participate in the group presentations must contact the instructors immediately at giulia.piredda@iusspavia.it and luca.zanetti@iusspavia.it.
