16917
Seminar
Infinity and the Evolution of Intelligence
Daniel Louis Nethery
Kommentar
In a paper published in 1950, Alan Turing proposed a way to think about whether computers can think. He asked whether they might, one day, successfully imitate humans in writing. His question is now understood as seminal to the concept of artificial intelligence (AI).
Program: We will analyse this concept of AI as the culmination of two parallel develop¬ments: the elaboration of the mathematical theory of infinity on one hand and of the theory of biological evolution on the other. Among other topics we will cover, in a heuristic way: evolution and natural selection; eugenics; the diagonal argument and uncount¬able infinity; particulate inheritance; IQ; scientific racism; axiomatic arithmetic and its incom¬pleteness. At each step we will discuss the social implications of these theories and their application, particularly in the field of social policy during the Nazi regime.
Is this course for me? This course is open to all students. There are no prerequisites.
Workload and assessment: During the semester you will be required to read on average 20 pages each week. You will qualify for 5 ECTS points if your attendance is satisfactory, you engage with the course materials, and you pass the examination at the end of the semester.
Schließen
16 Termine
Regelmäßige Termine der Lehrveranstaltung
Fr, 17.10.2025 10:00 - 12:00
Fr, 24.10.2025 10:00 - 12:00
Fr, 31.10.2025 10:00 - 12:00
Fr, 07.11.2025 10:00 - 12:00
Fr, 14.11.2025 10:00 - 12:00
Fr, 21.11.2025 10:00 - 12:00
Fr, 28.11.2025 10:00 - 12:00
Fr, 05.12.2025 10:00 - 12:00
Fr, 12.12.2025 10:00 - 12:00
Fr, 19.12.2025 10:00 - 12:00
Fr, 09.01.2026 10:00 - 12:00
Fr, 16.01.2026 10:00 - 12:00
Fr, 23.01.2026 10:00 - 12:00
Fr, 30.01.2026 10:00 - 12:00
Fr, 06.02.2026 10:00 - 12:00
Fr, 13.02.2026 10:00 - 12:00