Objectives: To explore the distinctive and unique mode of human being, life, and community in its fullness, in philosophical and theological perspective, with particular attention to the challenges and opportunities presented by the advent of machine or artificial “intelligence”

Learning Goals: Students will be able to articulate: a) their own conclusions, informed by philosophical and theological reflection, on the unique capacities and destiny of human beings, b) the capacities of machine computation and/or “intelligence,” c) and the challenges and opportunities that this new technology brings in the present and will bring in the future.

Contents: What are the rerum novarum of the age of machine “intelligence”? What are the distinctive aspects of human being and life, philosophically and theologically considered? Aspects include: a) the religious sense, b) friendship and community, c) leisure, d) virtue, e) creativity, f) action and contemplation, g) embodiment, d) conclusions regarding technology, ethics, and the common good

Methodology: This will comprise a mix of lectures, seminar discussion, and site visits.

Means of evaluation: Learning will be demonstrated by two-page responses to assigned prompts, three 750-word essays, and an in-class comprehensive essay.