Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Reflection of the class this semester.

I really enjoyed the class ethic and technology this semester with Dr. Langguth. We explored a lot of issues going on with technology today from the internet to robots. When I came into this class I didn't think my view on technology would change, but it did. I use to think that Google was the best thing that could of happened for a student because it would save people time by just looking up information on Google rather than going to the library and reading books to get more valid information. I learned from Nicholas Carr that Google is really hurting the intelligence of our society in the article Is Google Making Us Stupid? Also before I took this class I didn't know what device paradigm was or what focal practice meant. I thought that technology was great, but once I read Albert Borgmann novel Technology and the Character of Contemporary Life I began to notice that people are losing family traditions for example instead of sitting down at the table to eat dinner families order fast food and eat in seperate rooms watching television. I'm starting to see that in my own family and thats why I believe people should understand what device paradigm mean which is devices taking over focal practice and a focal practices consist of making fires, eating dinner at the table as a family, or making music. Those things are really being replaced by technology we see fake fire places in people bed rooms, people walk around downloading and listening to music on their ipods rather than make it themselves. Before I took this class I didnt believe that technology is hurting society, but now I realize it is. I also enjoyed talking about robots. I truely enjoyed my ethics and technology class this semester.

10 comments:

Colton said...

I also agree that the class was very interesting. It really helped me understand the differeneces between alot of complex issues, such as robots and distance learning. The most interesting thing that I believe we talked about was the whole distance learning thing. It was interesting to hear several different views and beliefs on what people think about this issue. I also did not believe that technology could ever hurt society. It was interesting to hear about what Borggman thought about those issues. I enjoyed this class very much this semester as well.

Fortner87 said...

I have had professor Lannguth before in Metaphysics and this class is way more interesting and easier to understand. Iloved how we talked about Robots and wheather or not they are humans or not. Dreyfus was a pretty interesting topic too. I wish we had more time to go over Isaac Asimov's book and review it in complete detail. I would have to say that this class as a whole albeit earlier in the morning was by far the most fun i had in any of my classes this year. from the old star trek movies and old films to the recent KoKo film, i enjoyed all of these tremendously. Also if anybody is interested pprofessor lannguth has a Summer horror films class and i heard it is a great expereince.

John said...

I also agree with you all. This class has really opened my eyes to some of the more intellectual questions that are being raised in society. I honestly came into this class thinking it would be just another core class, however I have really found a new interest in Philosophy. The topics dissscussed throughout the course really have caught my interest and really makes me want to take more classes in this area of study. It really makes me think about things especially the importance and good of technology. It is very fascinating and I look forward to taking more philosophy classes in the future.

Caroline Wadsworth said...

This is my second time being in a class taught by Professor Langguth and I find this one to be more interesting. This class really made me think outside of the box. I have to be honest, I have never given much thought to robots or any of the complex issues we talked about this semester. This class was by far my most interesting this semester!

Fortner87 said...

I would aso like ot point out that i do think google is making us stupid and that all this new technology is really taking away our ability to learn and be able to have a great aspect on the world. with these new inventions coming out it continues to make people lazier and waste their life away. for example, even the internet has its drawbacks and can even hurt us as humans. it takes away our ability to talk with other humans face to face. we are spending more and more time isolated away form society and it is making us stupid. it is necessary to interact with others and to moderately go out and have fun with our society.

Fortner87 said...

I would aso like ot point out that i do think google is making us stupid and that all this new technology is really taking away our ability to learn and be able to have a great aspect on the world. with these new inventions coming out it continues to make people lazier and waste their life away. for example, even the internet has its drawbacks and can even hurt us as humans. it takes away our ability to talk with other humans face to face. we are spending more and more time isolated away form society and it is making us stupid. it is necessary to interact with others and to moderately go out and have fun with our society.

Eric Robinson said...

Class was good. I can't help but come away impressed. Granted, I'm posting the day before the exam, but I do feel that the discussions we've had in class have been both informative and interesting. Robots are in our future and it is all to likely that we will see many of our discussions played out in later years.

John Wise said...

I also agree that this class was very interesting. It made me think about things that I've never thought about before. I actually take time now to think about how I spend my leisure time. I try to experience life without its conveinent technologies. I also have enjoyed the conversations about robots and rights. Even though I do not agree about robots having rights, I feel the evidence presented in class for both sides of the argument were interesting to listen to. Overall, this class was very enjoyable to be in this semester and has made me rethink some of the concepts in this study.

Nick Dew said...

I agree in how Borgmann's stances on technology has completely shifted my stance on devices. I think that it is a very great argument that every American should read based on the device paradigm. It is amazing how since the introduction of electonic devices humans have so rapidly lost touch to things that bring us together. I think that devices are a tool that can be used for the betterment of certain things and the most important part of device is the responsibility of the operator. This has caused me to get back into my guitar and other focal things!

ziggraut 73 said...

The class was very interesting. We talk a great deal about learning from technology, AI, and robots. I didn’t mind talking about those topics but that all we really talk about. I was hoping for more topic like cloning, technology in warfare, the effect of technology on the body, the evolution of technology and other stuff. But don’t get me wrong the class was fine..... I definitely enjoy the shows and movie we watch in class. I felt like they were good props to show what we were talking about... expect I can’t remember the reason for watching Tarzan.......