[Eurchap] mergers conference

[Colin T. SCHMIDT]

(free entry for speakers)
(free accommodation for speakers within budgetary limits)



.mERGERs.
Physical and Cognitive Mutations
in Humans and Machines

24 (afternoon) – 25, April 2009, Laval, France

Call for Informal Communications (100-300 wds)

SYMPOSIUM: 24-25 April 2009 (1.5 days with free entry to LAVAL VIRTUAL)

Invited Speakers

Lorenzo MAGNANI, Professor & Director of the Computational Philosophy 
Laboratory, University of Pavia (IT)
“Knowledge as Duty. The Mediating Effect of Technological Cultures as 
Human Hybridization”

Second speaker, TBA

Biological and mechanical components are merging. The ‘technological 
artefact’ has become a relative notion. Computer-compelled technology is 
drawing closer to human life as we experience it. Human Life will 
undergo further movement towards technology. It would seem that the 
further scientists humanise technology, the more making humans into 
artefacts becomes possible. Since the outburst of the Industrial 
Revolution in Europe, attempts to explain human cognitive life away have 
been on the increase; the idea is to render acceptable the organisation 
of manifest (more or less biological) components whose human-like 
behaviour is guided thanks to various calculations. Whether 'building 
up' the Machine or 'breaking down' the human being, ambivalence prevails 
in the hearts of all when it comes to future issues: do we or don't we 
have the right to create certain things? What are the key future issues 
that involve the evolution of our machines and our very persons? And 
what do we wish to become tomorrow? Surely there are realistic goals to 
the activities listed above. It has now become necessary to seriously 
analyse the "fringe-like aspects" of the use of technology to modify 
human life (emergent future states & immersion into the unknown). For 
many, the humanisation of technology and rendering human life more 
technical in nature go hand in hand, constitute opposing forces, or at 
least occur on the same practical terrain.
Therefore, over and beyond confirmations and refutations of the 
humanisation-technicisation relation that exists between Society and 
Technology, whatever its nature, we solicit papers exploring the 
Philosophical, Ethical and Epistemological aspects of the 
simulation/modification of human cognitive and physical processes and 
states for this informal Symposium to be held in Laval France. The most 
promising will be reviewed in view of being published as book chapters 
in a quality publication.

The following are only examples of relevant topics:

Related to "Machines"
Artificial Autonomy and Identity
Beliefs about Androids (having beliefs)
Humanoid Robotics and Will
Bringing Inert Matter to Life (from Galvanism to modern-day approaches)
Mechanical Playmates and Emergent Affectivity
Authentification of "Soul" in Artificial Creatures

Related to "Humans"
Cyborgs and Problems of Trans-humanism
Bionics, Augmented Human Cognition and Consequences
Mutations, Cloning and the (Im)possibility to Socialise Evolutionary Beings

Related to Communication
Problems of Communicability with Artificial Creatures (incompatibility, 
theories of Reference)
Personification of Non-persons
Acceptance of Inorganic Individuals
Artificial Intentions and Human Intentionality: Limits and Barriers to 
Establishing Co-intentionality
The Social Status of Agents and Robots, Legal Issues (rights, personal 
obligations and morals)
Human Digitalisation (difficulties related to the de-incarnation of the 
Self; personhood, otherhood and sense of community in virtual settings)
Technology-induced Indecidabilities, Multiple Personalities, Existential 
Trauma
Suspended Beliefs Hindering Contact with the "Other"

Logic, Categorisation & Interrogative Argumentation
Un-technicisation of Humans
Possibilities and Reasons for De-humanising Technology
Classification(s) of Humanoid Robotics, Artificial Life, 
Self-transformed Humans, etc. (conceptual graphs, typologies)
Post-cognitivism, Discursive Mind Theories and Post-humanoid Robotics
Statements on What Humans or Society Might/Should Become
Technological Era Positioning or Pragmatic Contextualisation (of all the 
above)
Re-definitions and Life

All other analyses of formidable, incongruous or complacent amalgams 
between humanity and technological matter are welcome. We also wish to 
discover texts referring to European Projects (FET Programme, ESF 
Forward Look Workshops, etc.) on like matters. Position-type statements 
(1-2 pages or a simple expression of interest) with respect to the 
concepts eluded to here are particularly encouraged in this forum as 
well as historical accounts as a basis for extrapolating into the 
future. Although attendance will be subject to relevance with the 
Mergers Technical programme, the entire event will benefit from the 
finest media coverage.

Important Dates
Statement deadline now till March 10th, 2009 --> 
Colin.Schmidt at univ-lemans.fr
Notification of acceptation March 15th, 2009
Conference 24-25 April 2009 (1.5 days with FREE entry to LAVAL VIRTUAL 
(value: 290euros)

Complimentary admittance for speakers
+ free hotel with reservation for the night of 24/04/2009 (limited 
number, depending on sponsoring) for speakers
Other attendees (50 euros) wishing to come should contact 
Colin.Schmidt at univ-lemans.fr as soon as possible

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

Colin SCHMIDT, Chair. Cognition, Communication, Philosophy, Le Mans 
University/LAMPA ParisTech (FR)

Maria-Caterina MANES-GALLO, Professor of Information and Communication 
Sciences, Bordeaux University (FR)

Serge PROULX, Professor at UQAM Montréal, Director of GRM, Director of 
LabCMO, LCP-CNRS Paris, ENST Telecom ParisTech (CA)

Shahid RAHMAN, Professor of Logic and Epistemology, MSH du Nord-Pas de 
Calais & Lille III University (FR)

Simon RICHIR, Professor in Virtual Reality at ENSAM/LAMPA ParisTech (FR)

Peter-Paul VERBEEK, Assoc. Professor, Philosophy of Science, Technology 
and Society, University of Twente & Society for Philosophy and 
Technology (SPT) (NL)

Kevin WARWICK, Professor of Cybernetics, Reading University (UK)



Contact :
C.T.A. SCHMIDT (MCF 71)

Work +33 (0)2 43 59 49 20 / 49 25
06.26.26.66.48
Colin.Schmidt at univ-lemans.fr
52, rue des Docteurs Calmette et Guérin,
53020 Laval Cedex 09, France


We are committed to addressing a wide range of themes and to hear as 
many qualified voices as possible, so please circulate this call to your 
colleagues and friends. Feel free to forward it to email lists, Internet 
sources, or other institutions that might be interested. We need your 
help to make .mERGERs.'09 a truly memorable event.

RISC-CNRS (PIRSTEC) PROSPECTIVE THINKING PROJECT,
A WORKSHOP SPONSORED BY THE FRENCH NATIONAL AGENCY FOR RESEARCH (ANR) AND
ARTS ET METIERS PARISTECH
ORGANISED IN COOPERATION WITH VIRTUAL REALITY INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2009
SUPPORTED BY THE CNRS COMMUNICATION SCIENCES INSTITUTE, FRANCE
HTTP:/ISCC.CNRS.FR
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