Tuesday, 23 March - 18.30 for 19.00
 
Professor Luciano Floridi, 
UNESCO Chair in Information and Computer Ethics
 
Professorial Lecture
The Fourth Revolution
The impact of Information Technology on our lives
 
Venue. University of Hertfordshire, Fielder Centre, Hatfield Avenue, Hatfield Business Park, Hatfield, AL10 9TP
              http://herts.ac.uk/about-us/where-to-find-us/home.cfm
 
Synopsis. Who are we? And what is our role in the universe? IT is radically changing not only how we deal with the world and make sense of it, or interact with each other, but also how we look at ourselves and understand our own existence and responsibilities. In this lecture, Professor Floridi will discuss such impact of IT on our lives and on our self-understanding. He will outline his belief that IT is bringing about a fourth revolution, in the long process of reassessment of humanity’s fundamental nature and role in the universe. We are not immobile, at the centre of the universe (Copernican revolution); we are not unnaturally distinct and different from the rest of the animal world (Darwinian revolution); and we are far from being entirely transparent to ourselves (Freudian revolution). IT is now making us realise that we are not disconnected entities, but informational organisms (inforgs), who share with other kinds of agents a global environment, ultimately made of information, the infosphere (Turing revolution). In light of this Professor Floridi argues that we should expand our ecological and ethical approach to both natural and man-made realities, in order to cope successfully with the new moral challenges posed by IT.
 
Buffet. A light buffet supper will be served following the lecture.
 
Booking. This is a free public lecture. In order to book a place please contact Julie Huckle, Events Manger, j.a.huckle@herts.ac.uk