technology Archives - Merlin CCC

Posts tagged "technology"

August 2019 Philosophy Walk (Missoula/Huson): Reconnecting with Nature

We had a great time on our first Missoula county Philosophy Walk! Big thank you’s to the 9 Mile Community, Steve King, and Deborah Slicer and to the numerous community members, visitors from out of state (The Kramer clan!), and University of Montana students who came out to participate in the fun! Thank you also to Mother Nature for providing such a beautiful setting for our meandering. Led by 2019 Merlin Student Scholar Fellow & Philosopher, Henry Kramer, and Grants Manager & Humanitarian, Ryan Aikin, on this walk (a “spin-off” of our August Helena Philosophy Walk) we explored the importance of “reconnecting with nature” through the lens of phenomenology and animism. Access resources & photos here!

August 2019 Philosophy Walk (Helena): Reconnecting with Nature

We were blown away by how amazing our August Philosophy Walk was…beautiful weather, wonderful people, great questions, and thought-provoking discussion led by 2019 Merlin Student Fellow & Philosopher, Henry Kramer, and Grants Manager & Humanitarian, Ryan Aikin. Our group of 17 — including 3 delightful young philosophers who joined us for the journey — enjoyed a lovely hike on the Waterline & Rodney Ridge Trails and explored “reconnecting with nature” through the lens of phenomenology, pragmatism, and animism. Access resources & photos here!

June 2019 Philosophy Walk: Envrionment, Ethics & Stewardship

How we relate to nature is complicated and ever-evolving. Our group — led by co-philosophers-on-trail Christopher Preston & Patrick Kelly — enjoyed a morning & afternoon walk up the steep slopes of the 1906/Prairie trail to the summit of Mt. Helena, and explored a number of topics related to environment, ethics, the public trust doctrine, and stewardship. Access resources & photos here!

A Phenomenology of Mass-Produced Things and Our Relation with the More-than-human World

In this paper, Henry Kramer, explores the human-technology relationship and argues that “our perception of mass-produced things, a perception unique to and only possible within technological culture, dulls our senses and de-emphasizes the basic materiality of all things, thereby discouraging connection and engagement with the more-than-human world.” An iteration of this paper was presented at the 16th Annual Gonzaga Graduate Philosophy Conference and received the Hutchins Award in Philosophy for best paper in the conference. It is featured here on our website by permission of the author. Read more here!

Ethics, Artificial Intelligence & The Real World

In the wake of increasing concerns about AI and the somewhat predominant “lack of ethical considerations” in the industry relative to its possible social ramifications, universities and researchers are pushing hard to establish a new ethos of “first, do no harm.” But the task is daunting for a number of reasons.

The Relevance of Philosophy in Modern Times

In this episode of Home Ground Radio, Brian Kahn and Professor Gordon Brittan discuss the origins of western philosophy and why it still has relevance today relative to: Globalization The individual and society Governance & policy Happiness Healthcare Equality and equity Technology The nature (and importance) of dialogue And more……

2017 Philosophy Symposium – “Vulnerable Humanity, Predictable Machines” (Part 3)

Co-directed by Merlin CCC (in conjunction with Tim Holmes, local and internationally-renowned artist, and Pastor Russ Danaher, ADA Coordinator, Montana Department of Corrections, and Ross Peter Nelson, MFA & Software Engineer), “Vulnerable Humanity, Predictable Machines” (Part 3) was the third of three community events geared to initiate a public discussion…

October 2017 MWA Staff Philosophy Walk

Our October 2017 MWA staff Philosophy Walk took place on Mount Helena amidst unseasonably warm weather — almost 70 degrees! Clad in way too many layers (we were expecting cold!), our group set-off for a walk and talk about conservation & preservation, environmental ethics, technology, beauty, wilderness, and epistemology. We…