Soraj Hongladarom delves into the philosophical considerations of science and technology's role within developing nations. His work critically examines how these forces can be woven into the fabric of daily life in so-called Third World countries, and what ethical questions arise from such an integration. He pays particular attention to how information technology is incorporated into the lived experiences of Thai society, especially within educational contexts. His scholarship seeks to understand the profound ethical implications of technological advancement as it intersects with culture.
Exploring the intersection of Buddhism and technology, this work proposes a framework for the ethics of AI and robotics, emphasizing the concept of "machine enlightenment." It advocates for a technological norm that integrates ethical principles with technical excellence, suggesting that advancements in AI should be guided by these standards to foster a more enlightened approach to technology.
Exploring the intersection of Buddhism and privacy, the author presents a theory rooted in Buddhist insights on Non-Self, contrasting it with conventional privacy beliefs centered on autonomous individuals. By highlighting the relational nature of self in Buddhism, the book seeks to reconcile these differing views while emphasizing the importance of protecting privacy in today's information-driven society. Additionally, it addresses the complexities of group privacy, proposing a fresh perspective that could aid in understanding this challenging concept.
Externalism, Friendship and Games
This book explores the emerging phenomenon of the self in the online realm, advocating for an externalist view of identity that does not rely on the continuity of consciousness. It delves into related concepts such as online friendships and gaming through this lens. Social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace enable users to present their identities online, creating connections with others who also have their own digital selves. This raises profound philosophical questions: What is the metaphysical nature of the online self? How does it compare to the traditional "offline" self? As more individuals engage with the online world, it begins to acquire its own reality, a notion recognized by various scholars. However, a systematic philosophical examination of this online self—now crucial in cyberspace—has been lacking, which this volume aims to address. In addition to the constitution of the online self, it investigates related issues of personal identity in digital spaces and analyzes the similarities between computer games and social networking platforms. Unlike much existing literature that approaches the topic from a social scientific angle, this work provides a philosophical and theoretical framework for understanding the complexities of the online experience.