This introductory course explores how philosophy helps us understand science and AI. Students will learn basic concepts in philosophy of science and examine how they apply to modern AI technology. We will also explore the similarities and contrasts between human minds and artificial intelligence and consider the possibility of the blending of the two. Depictions of these concepts in media will include viewing “Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence” and other videos. Readings will include selections from Alan Turing’s two foundational papers as well as excerpts from Boden’s The Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence and AI, Hillis’s The Pattern on the Stone, and Russell and Norvig’s Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach. No prior philosophy or computer science background is required.
Expected learning outcomes
- Understand basic concepts in philosophy of science
- Explain how AI is changing scientific research
- Think critically about AI’s role in creating knowledge
- Discuss ethical implications of AI in science
- Form informed opinions about AI’s impact on society
Instructor: Robert F. Scheyder
Robert Scheyder is a lecturer in computer programming and AI at Penn. He received his BA with honors and MLA with honors in the philosophy of science and mathematics at Penn. Robert teaches courses in programming languages and is proficient in Python, Mathematica, MATLAB, Maple, and other languages. Prior to Penn, he taught electrical engineering technology courses at New Jersey Institute of Technology. Robert has extensive industrial experience in computer/ information systems engineering and project management. He is currently the co-owner and managing partner of Scheyderweb LLC, which is an engineering consulting firm that designs computer systems. He is a Macintosh guru, Linux user, and Microsoft realist.
