PY4663 Artificial Intelligence and Philosophy

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Curricular information may be subject to change

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

To be confirmed.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr P M Greenough

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Patrick Greenough, Dr Bradley Hillier-Smith

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Artificial Intelligence is a huge factor in our lives today, and it has many significant philosophical implications. Questions to be addressed in this module may include: What is AI? What is artificial general intelligence? Can AI systems have minds? Are Large Language Models just “stochastic parrots”? Can AI systems be conscious? Can they have free will? Are they in the domain of reason? Can AI systems have emotions and moods? Can AI systems suffer? Can they become mentally ill? Should we treat some AI systems as “moral patients”? In what way do AI systems exhibit and embed bias? Can AI systems exhibit genuine creativity? Should we think of AI as a new genus of creature (with species and varieties)? Can social robots become genuine partners, carers, and lovers? Can a social robot be murdered? Should autonomous AI be employed in warfare? Does AI threaten democracy and the rule of law? Does AI threaten our privacy? Will AI make humans redundant?

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS PY1012 OR PASS PY1006

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment