End of humankind, machine's victory?: questionings of technological Singulatiry

Author(s)

Fabiano Galletti Faleiros

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas
• Defense date: 2021-03-03

Examining board members

Pedro Peixoto Ferreira; Laymert Garcia dos Santos; Diego Vicentin

• Advisor: Pedro Peixoto Ferreira

Abstract

In this dissertation, we intend to analyse the statements enunciated by the technological Singularity, which assert the machine will overcome humankind, through Raymond Kurzweil's work. At first, we seek to elucidate the theoretical-conceptual definition of the singularitarian thesis. We seek to present the assumptions expressed by Kurzweil by showing the enthusiastic character of his prognostications about the end of the human species as we know it. According to the author, the imminent decay of humanity, which will be provoked by the emergence of an unprecedented technological advance – a singularity –, will be the solution to immemorial issues such as disease, hunger, and death. In the following part of the text, we endeavor to put under scrutiny such predictions about the future, demonstrating how Singularity, besides being a technoscientific theory, constitutes a contemporary narrative that intends to provide a transcendent aspect to the frantic acceleration of our times – and therefore it is imbued with inherently and specific interests and meanings, as it happens in every narrative. In opposition to this image created by Kurzweil, we argue that singularitarian thesis are not objective gauges of reality, but a point of view over it, which is invariably conditioned by particular values and judgements. On this dissertation, we seek to shed light on such interests and value judgments omitted by the Singularity’s thesis, demonstrating how these corroborate to the deepening of social injustices and inequalities. Furthermore, in a third and final movement, we propose to establish an ontological critique of the singularitarian statements, inspired by the work of the philosopher Gilbert Simondon. In order to decree the end of humankind and the victory of the machine, it is necessary to assume, as it’s done by Kurzweil and his companions, that humans and machines are equal or equivalents and compete with each other. Our investigation intends to demonstrate how these representation on humans and machines, besides being reductionist and technically unfounded, also corroborates to set up technocratic principles, which proposes to subjugate the technical objects, the nature and even the human being itself. Finally, with this dissertation, we would like to propose other ways of thinking and experiencing our relationship with technique: humans and machines have their own modes of existence and participate in different individuation processes. Thus, such a relationship must be understood as the sum of two complementary potencies, which are mutually constructed - and not as a dispute between winners and losers, in which one must die at the expense of the other (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/07400-8 - End of humankind, machine's victory? questionings of technological singularity
• Grantee: Fabiano Galletti Faleiros
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master