Research Process Step 1: Synthesis writing is a written discussion that draws on one or more sources. In an academic synthesis, you make explicit the relationships that you have inferred among separate sources. Go beyond summary to make judgments – judgments based, of course, on critical reading of the sources. Go beyond the critique of individual sources to determine the relationship among them.

Recommended length: 4-5 pages, double-spaced in 12pt font. APA Format.

Research Step One Instructions

Step One-Synthesis-the act of merging at least two sources of research into a coherent analysis/argument.

Path A Instructions

Pick any topic that relates to artificial intelligence/bio-molecular genetic engineering and research it! You might choose from movies/films about artificial intelligence, or cultural/societal impacts of changing technologies, or ethical concerns and consequences. Here’s a quick list of topics. Whatever topic you write about will require you to include a connection/discussion of at least one of the chapters from two of the thematic areas of the iBook-for example, Part A (Origins) and/or Part B/C (Ethics/Theories of Knowledge) from our iBook-and from the Bladerunner 1982/2016 (if applicable to your research topic).

Here’s a link to an article from one of my favorite cognitive scientists (Andy Clark) in which he obviously is a strong proponent of the merger of AI/genetics and humanity. You could do a little research into his body of work and using some aspects of the Blade Runner movie to discuss the potential hazards of this type of human cyborg future. You could also use one of the creation stories that clearly depicts that even the gods don’t get creation right the first time and often have to destroy humankind and start over again. And finally another link from the iBook might be to use the essay from Dr. Aiello on Mary Daly and the potential to mimic some kind of patriarchal bias in our artificial intelligent algorithms-or something like that. Maybe even the Crito of Plato and the idea of justice being somehow decided by a computer might not take into account the ideal that Plato encourages-that somehow a life isn’t worth living if it is reduced to mere expedience-I think you would agree that the Replicant Roy might make such an argument! Just a few thoughts out loud-follow your own research questions and interests!

Path B Instructions

Simply find a set of articles (preferable scholarly or professional) that describe clearly some impact of artificial intelligence/genetics on a field/major discipline (maybe yours!). Discuss the specific concerns or controversies, and then enter into the discussion by relating some of your own knowledge and experience. You will still be required to consider how the Origins/Ethics/Theories of Knowledge Dialogue themes might frame or influence any argument (that the experts or public makes) as to how these changes to the field as a result of technology might be good or bad. For example, whenever you consider whether some consequences of technology might be good or bad you have entered into the realm of normative ethics-so you could relate some of these concerns that are voiced by the public/experts as being based in an Origin story that reserves certain powers for humans and other powers for gods. Or in an ethic that is proscriptive like the Christian commandments or prescriptive like the Sermon on the Mount compared to a more ambiguous teleological ambition of the Taoists.