1. Computer Science in Cosmic Perspective Professor Jim Huggins Kettering University CRU 9 September 2015

2. A blast from the past … James K. Huggins, The Assumptions of Computing, in Ethics in the Computer Age, ACM Conference Proceedings, Gatlinburg, TN, 11-13 November 1994, 46—50. (the “secular” version)

3. We Are All Technologists We (Monsma) can define technology as: a distinct human cultural activity … in which human beings exercise freedom and responsibility in response to God … by forming and transforming the natural creation … with the aid of tools and procedures … for practical ends or purposes.

4. A Christian Response to Technology

5. Strawman #1: Total Rejection

6. The Cultural Mandate God blessed [humanity] and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (Gen 1:28)

7. Strawman #2: Total Acceptance

8. Technology Is Not Neutral 1.Technology is a human activity, not an artifact; it is subject to judgment And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3:17)

9. Technology is Not Neutral 2.Technology has unforeseen effects on the cultures where it is introduced – (Plato) Does writing help or hurt our memory? – (Postman) Matches, fires, and adultery … – (Weizenbaum) The cotton gin and civil rights … Most of this comes from embedded assumptions

10. The Assumptions of Computing (and the questions they raise)

11. Assumption 1: Power is Valuable Controlling the uncontrollable is good, but … 1.Power is intoxicating … “Within a generation, the problem of creating ‘artificial intelligence’ will be solved.” (M. Minsky, 1967) … and often misapplied e.g. “communication” vs. “information exchange” What is a problem? What is a solution?

12. Assumption 1: Power is Valuable 2.Power corrupts – The temptation to control data, falsify data 3.Power is addictive – The creation of worlds of our own making, instead of the world God made What is a solution? What is real?

13. Assumption 2: Speed is Valuable A faster computer is always better, right? 1.The tyranny of the urgent: because I can act fast, I must act fast 2.And what do we do with this time we save? Why are we valuable? What is worth doing?

14. Assumption 3: Data is Valuable The truth shall make you free. (John 8:32) 1.Too much of a good thing – which inherently leads to bureacracy 2.Substance: GIGO – urban legend memes … 3.Data becomes disconnected from reality – “It is well that war is so terrible -- lest we should grow too fond of it.” –Robert E. Lee What is worth doing? What is true? What is real?

15. Assumption 4: Logic is Valuable AI: the essence of intelligence is rationality But then what about … Intuition? (What if playing a hunch works?) – “It is through science that we prove, but through intuition that we discover.” ---Poincaré Emotion? Why are we valuable? Only as rational agents?

16. The Questions of Computing What is a problem? What is a solution? What is worth doing? What is real? Why are we valuable? What is truth?

17. Some sample answers What is worth doing? – And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3:17) Why are we valuable? – You have made [people] a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. (Ps 8:5)

18. Homework What are the assumptions of your (sub-)discipline? What questions do those assumptions generate? What does Christianity have to say about those questions?