2019
|
 | Umbrello, Steven Evolution Science and Ethics in the Third Millennium: Challenges and Choices for Humankind by Robert Cliquet and Dragana Avramov. Journal Article In: World Futures, vol. 75, no. 4, pp. 191–193, 2019, ISSN: 0260-4027. @article{Umbrello2018h,
title = {Evolution Science and Ethics in the Third Millennium: Challenges and Choices for Humankind by Robert Cliquet and Dragana Avramov.},
author = {Steven Umbrello},
url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02604027.2018.1490113},
doi = {10.1080/02604027.2018.1490113},
issn = {0260-4027},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-05-01},
journal = {World Futures},
volume = {75},
number = {4},
pages = {191--193},
publisher = {Routledge},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
|
 | Umbrello, Steven Steps to Designing AI-Empowered Nanotechnology: A Value Sensitive Design Approach Journal Article In: Delphi - Interdisciplinary Review of Emerging Technologies, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 79–83, 2019. @article{Umbrello2019b,
title = {Steps to Designing AI-Empowered Nanotechnology: A Value Sensitive Design Approach},
author = {Steven Umbrello},
url = {https://doi.org/10.21552/delphi/2019/2/6%0A%0A},
doi = {10.21552/delphi/2019/2/6},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
journal = {Delphi - Interdisciplinary Review of Emerging Technologies},
volume = {2},
number = {2},
pages = {79--83},
publisher = {HeinOnline},
abstract = {Advanced nanotechnology promises to be one of the fundamental transformational emerging technologies alongside others such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and other informational and cognitive technologies. Although scholarship on nanotechnology, particularly advanced nanotechnology such as molecular manufacturing has nearly ceased in the last decade, normal nanotechnology that is building the foundations for more advanced versions has permeated many industries and commercial products and has become a billion dollar industry. This paper acknowledges the socialtechnicity of advanced nanotechnology and proposes how its convergence with other enabling technologies like AI can be anticipated and designed with human values in mind. Preliminary guidelines inspired by the Value Sensitive Design approach to technology design are proposed for molecular manufacturing in the age of artificial intelligence.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Advanced nanotechnology promises to be one of the fundamental transformational emerging technologies alongside others such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and other informational and cognitive technologies. Although scholarship on nanotechnology, particularly advanced nanotechnology such as molecular manufacturing has nearly ceased in the last decade, normal nanotechnology that is building the foundations for more advanced versions has permeated many industries and commercial products and has become a billion dollar industry. This paper acknowledges the socialtechnicity of advanced nanotechnology and proposes how its convergence with other enabling technologies like AI can be anticipated and designed with human values in mind. Preliminary guidelines inspired by the Value Sensitive Design approach to technology design are proposed for molecular manufacturing in the age of artificial intelligence. |
 | Umbrello, Steven Book review: Being Ecological by Timothy Morton Journal Article In: Journal of Evolution and Technology, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 19–20, 2019, ISSN: 1541-0099. @article{Umbrello2019b,
title = {Book review: Being Ecological by Timothy Morton},
author = {Steven Umbrello},
url = {https://jetpress.org/v29.1/umbrello.html},
issn = {1541-0099},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Evolution and Technology},
volume = {29},
number = {1},
pages = {19--20},
abstract = {From its opening page, Being Ecological (MIT Press, 2018; all page references to this edition) seems to situate itself as an ecological text of an unusual kind, stating that it does not aim to guilt its readers into ecological angst with weighty factoids and the information-dump approach, or "ecological information delivery mode" (p. 7), so often adopted by other authors. Timothy Morton, notorious for his ability to invert commonly held beliefs and understandings within the humanities, presents Being Ecological as his attempt to arrive at a more authentic and productive understanding of what he has called elsewhere the ecological thought and how to live with it (Morton 2012), rather than trying to guilt-trip us into ecology. Rather than employing the information-dump approach, Morton opts to investigate the way we understand ecology and our interconnected relationships with nonhuman beings. His goal is to arrive at a lived and embodied ecology, rather than the information-and fact-based one that dominates the existing ecological literature. To arrive at this, most of the book is dedicated to a staunch critique of anthropocentrism. This reveals the illusory nature of human-exclusive correlationism, that is, the world is not simply the correlation beween the human mind and external objects. This demonstrates, even to the most ecologically apathetic or ignorant reader, that the human interconnectedness with nonhumans and the biosphere is intrinsically deep, uncanny, and necessarily inseparable.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
From its opening page, Being Ecological (MIT Press, 2018; all page references to this edition) seems to situate itself as an ecological text of an unusual kind, stating that it does not aim to guilt its readers into ecological angst with weighty factoids and the information-dump approach, or "ecological information delivery mode" (p. 7), so often adopted by other authors. Timothy Morton, notorious for his ability to invert commonly held beliefs and understandings within the humanities, presents Being Ecological as his attempt to arrive at a more authentic and productive understanding of what he has called elsewhere the ecological thought and how to live with it (Morton 2012), rather than trying to guilt-trip us into ecology. Rather than employing the information-dump approach, Morton opts to investigate the way we understand ecology and our interconnected relationships with nonhuman beings. His goal is to arrive at a lived and embodied ecology, rather than the information-and fact-based one that dominates the existing ecological literature. To arrive at this, most of the book is dedicated to a staunch critique of anthropocentrism. This reveals the illusory nature of human-exclusive correlationism, that is, the world is not simply the correlation beween the human mind and external objects. This demonstrates, even to the most ecologically apathetic or ignorant reader, that the human interconnectedness with nonhumans and the biosphere is intrinsically deep, uncanny, and necessarily inseparable. |
 | Umbrello, Steven Lethal Autonomous Weapons: Designing War Machines with Values Journal Article In: Delphi - Interdisciplinary Review of Emerging Technologies, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 30–34, 2019, ISSN: 26263734. @article{Umbrello2019c,
title = {Lethal Autonomous Weapons: Designing War Machines with Values},
author = {Steven Umbrello},
url = {http://delphi.lexxion.eu/article/DELPHI/2019/1/7},
doi = {10.21552/delphi/2019/1/7},
issn = {26263734},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
journal = {Delphi - Interdisciplinary Review of Emerging Technologies},
volume = {2},
number = {1},
pages = {30--34},
abstract = {Lethal Autonomous Weapons (LAWs) have becomes the subject of continuous debate both at national and international levels. Arguments have been proposed both for the development and use of LAWs as well as their prohibition from combat landscapes. Regardless, the development of LAWs continues in numerous nation-states. This paper builds upon previous philosophical arguments for the development and use of LAWs and proposes a design framework that can be used to ethically direct their development. The conclusion is that the philosophical arguments that underpin the adoption of LAWs, although prima facie insufficient, can be actualised through the proposed Value Sensitive Design (VSD) approach. Hence, what is proposed is a principled design approach that can be used to embed stakeholder values into a design, encourage stakeholder cooperation and coordination and as a result promote social acceptance of LAWs as a preferable future fact of war.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Lethal Autonomous Weapons (LAWs) have becomes the subject of continuous debate both at national and international levels. Arguments have been proposed both for the development and use of LAWs as well as their prohibition from combat landscapes. Regardless, the development of LAWs continues in numerous nation-states. This paper builds upon previous philosophical arguments for the development and use of LAWs and proposes a design framework that can be used to ethically direct their development. The conclusion is that the philosophical arguments that underpin the adoption of LAWs, although prima facie insufficient, can be actualised through the proposed Value Sensitive Design (VSD) approach. Hence, what is proposed is a principled design approach that can be used to embed stakeholder values into a design, encourage stakeholder cooperation and coordination and as a result promote social acceptance of LAWs as a preferable future fact of war. |
 | Umbrello, Steven Explorative Nanophilosophy as Technoscienza: An Italian Perspective on the Role of Speculation in Nanoindustry Journal Article In: TECNOSCIENZA: Italian Journal of Science & Technology Studies, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 71–88, 2019. @article{Umbrello2019e,
title = {Explorative Nanophilosophy as Technoscienza: An Italian Perspective on the Role of Speculation in Nanoindustry},
author = {Steven Umbrello},
url = {http://www.tecnoscienza.net/index.php/tsj/article/view/380},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
journal = {TECNOSCIENZA: Italian Journal of Science & Technology Studies},
volume = {10},
number = {1},
pages = {71--88},
abstract = {There are two primary camps in which nanotechnology today can be categorized normal nanotechnology and speculative nanotechnology. The birth of nanotechnology proper was conceived through discourses of speculative nanotechnology. However, current nanotechnology research has detracted from its speculative promises in favour of more attainable material products. Nonetheless, normal nanotechnology has leveraged the popular support and consequential funding it needs to conduct research and development (R&D) as a result of popular conceptions of speculative nanotechnology and its promises. Similarly, the scholarly literature has shifted its focus away from speculative nanofutures towards normal nanotechnology R&D. This paper shows that there is an incongruence between the representation of nanotechnology in the media, scholarly journals and industry.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
There are two primary camps in which nanotechnology today can be categorized normal nanotechnology and speculative nanotechnology. The birth of nanotechnology proper was conceived through discourses of speculative nanotechnology. However, current nanotechnology research has detracted from its speculative promises in favour of more attainable material products. Nonetheless, normal nanotechnology has leveraged the popular support and consequential funding it needs to conduct research and development (R&D) as a result of popular conceptions of speculative nanotechnology and its promises. Similarly, the scholarly literature has shifted its focus away from speculative nanofutures towards normal nanotechnology R&D. This paper shows that there is an incongruence between the representation of nanotechnology in the media, scholarly journals and industry. |
 | Umbrello, Fragile Umanità by Leonardo Caffo Journal Article In: Journal of Posthuman Studies, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 105, 2019, ISSN: 24724513. @article{Umbrello2019f,
title = {Fragile Umanità by Leonardo Caffo},
author = {Umbrello},
url = {https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5325/jpoststud.3.1.0105},
doi = {10.5325/jpoststud.3.1.0105},
issn = {24724513},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Posthuman Studies},
volume = {3},
number = {1},
pages = {105},
abstract = {A new book by Leonardo Caffo, Fragile Umanità, is reviewed. Fragile Umanità serves as a primer intended to introduce both professionals and non-professionsals to the concepts of contemporary posthumanism and the failures of humanist philosophies. The book's core methodology is to outline the differences between humanist and posthumanist philosophies and show how the latter is less contentious and favourable. The book is stylistically engaging, lucid and academically current, providing both novice readers and seasoned scholars with an easy-to-read introduction to posthumanist theory for Italian scholars.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
A new book by Leonardo Caffo, Fragile Umanità, is reviewed. Fragile Umanità serves as a primer intended to introduce both professionals and non-professionsals to the concepts of contemporary posthumanism and the failures of humanist philosophies. The book's core methodology is to outline the differences between humanist and posthumanist philosophies and show how the latter is less contentious and favourable. The book is stylistically engaging, lucid and academically current, providing both novice readers and seasoned scholars with an easy-to-read introduction to posthumanist theory for Italian scholars. |
 | Umbrello, Steven Beneficial Artificial Intelligence Coordination by Means of a Value Sensitive Design Approach Journal Article In: Big Data and Cognitive Computing, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 5, 2019, ISSN: 2504-2289. @article{Umbrello2019g,
title = {Beneficial Artificial Intelligence Coordination by Means of a Value Sensitive Design Approach},
author = {Steven Umbrello},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2504-2289/3/1/5},
doi = {10.3390/bdcc3010005},
issn = {2504-2289},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
journal = {Big Data and Cognitive Computing},
volume = {3},
number = {1},
pages = {5},
abstract = {This paper argues that the Value Sensitive Design (VSD) methodology provides a principled approach to embedding common values into AI systems both early and throughout the design process. To do so, it draws on an important case study: the evidence and final report of the UK Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence. This empirical investigation shows that the different and often disparate stakeholder groups that are implicated in AI design and use share some common values that can be used to further strengthen design coordination efforts. VSD is shown to be both able to distill these common values as well as provide a framework for stakeholder coordination.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This paper argues that the Value Sensitive Design (VSD) methodology provides a principled approach to embedding common values into AI systems both early and throughout the design process. To do so, it draws on an important case study: the evidence and final report of the UK Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence. This empirical investigation shows that the different and often disparate stakeholder groups that are implicated in AI design and use share some common values that can be used to further strengthen design coordination efforts. VSD is shown to be both able to distill these common values as well as provide a framework for stakeholder coordination. |
 | Umbrello, Steven Moving to a Posthuman Technosphere Journal Article In: Techné: Research in Philosophy and Technology, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 104–106, 2019, ISSN: 2691-5928. @article{Umbrello2018,
title = {Moving to a Posthuman Technosphere},
author = {Steven Umbrello},
url = {http://www.pdcnet.org/oom/service?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=&rft.imuse_id=techne_2019_0023_0001_0104_0106&svc_id=info:www.pdcnet.org/collection},
doi = {10.5840/techne20192311},
issn = {2691-5928},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
journal = {Techné: Research in Philosophy and Technology},
volume = {23},
number = {1},
pages = {104--106},
abstract = {A new book by Roberto Marchesini, Tecnosfera, is reviewed. Technosfera serves as an in-depth exploration of the concept of techne and its relation to humanist and posthumanist thought for professionals. The book's core methodology is to explore the geneaological, linguistic and philosophical differences between the humanist and posthumanist concepts of techne and show how the latter is less contentious and favourable. The book is informationally dense, well-argued and academically current, providing seasoned scholars with a novel exploratory approach to posthumanist theory.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
A new book by Roberto Marchesini, Tecnosfera, is reviewed. Technosfera serves as an in-depth exploration of the concept of techne and its relation to humanist and posthumanist thought for professionals. The book's core methodology is to explore the geneaological, linguistic and philosophical differences between the humanist and posthumanist concepts of techne and show how the latter is less contentious and favourable. The book is informationally dense, well-argued and academically current, providing seasoned scholars with a novel exploratory approach to posthumanist theory. |
2018
|
 | Umbrello, Steven; Lombard, Jessica Silence of the Idols: Appropriating the Myths of Daedalus and Sisyphus for Posthumanist Discourses Journal Article In: Postmodern Openings, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 98–121, 2018, ISSN: 20680236. @article{Umbrello2018n,
title = {Silence of the Idols: Appropriating the Myths of Daedalus and Sisyphus for Posthumanist Discourses},
author = {Steven Umbrello and Jessica Lombard},
url = {http://www.lumenpublishing.com/journals/index.php/po/article/view/1118},
doi = {10.18662/po/47},
issn = {20680236},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-12-01},
journal = {Postmodern Openings},
volume = {9},
number = {4},
pages = {98--121},
institution = {Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies},
abstract = {Both current and past analyses and critiques of transhumanist and posthumanist theories have had a propensity to cite the Greek myth of Prometheus as a paradigmatic figure. Although stark differences exist amongst the token forms of posthumanist theories and transhumanism, both theoretical domains claim promethean theory as their own. By first analyzing the appropriation of the myth in both posthumanism and transhumanism I show how the myth fails to be foundational to both camps simultaneously. I then introduce the Camusian Myth of Sisyphus as a competing analogy that ultimately serves as a myth better suited to address the posthumanist position by shifting away from humanist-laden dichotomies that are characteristic of transhumanist thought. I ultimately show that Sisyphus, as the 'absurd man' that Camus claims him to be, is himself the posthuman, thus serving as a more ideal foundational myth for posthumanism and preserving the importance of narrative in posthuman discourses. To conclude I show that the concept of Sisyphus as a posthuman icon has significance that reaches beyond narrative value to current ecological debates in posthumanist},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Both current and past analyses and critiques of transhumanist and posthumanist theories have had a propensity to cite the Greek myth of Prometheus as a paradigmatic figure. Although stark differences exist amongst the token forms of posthumanist theories and transhumanism, both theoretical domains claim promethean theory as their own. By first analyzing the appropriation of the myth in both posthumanism and transhumanism I show how the myth fails to be foundational to both camps simultaneously. I then introduce the Camusian Myth of Sisyphus as a competing analogy that ultimately serves as a myth better suited to address the posthumanist position by shifting away from humanist-laden dichotomies that are characteristic of transhumanist thought. I ultimately show that Sisyphus, as the 'absurd man' that Camus claims him to be, is himself the posthuman, thus serving as a more ideal foundational myth for posthumanism and preserving the importance of narrative in posthuman discourses. To conclude I show that the concept of Sisyphus as a posthuman icon has significance that reaches beyond narrative value to current ecological debates in posthumanist |
 | Umbrello, Steven Posthumanism Journal Article In: Con Texte, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 28–32, 2018, ISSN: 2561-4770. @article{Umbrello2018b,
title = {Posthumanism},
author = {Steven Umbrello},
url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327103678_Posthumanism_A_Fickle_Philosophy https://pubs.biblio.laurentian.ca/index.php/contexte/article/view/288},
doi = {10.28984/ct.v2i1.288},
issn = {2561-4770},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-10-01},
journal = {Con Texte},
volume = {2},
number = {1},
pages = {28--32},
abstract = {Defining posthumanism as a single, well-oriented philosophy is a difficult if not impossible endeavour. Part of the reason for this difficulty is accounted by posthumanism’s illusive origins and its perpetually changing hermeneutics. This short paper gives a brief account of the ecological trend in contemporary posthumanism and provides a short prescription for the future of posthumanist literature and potential research avenues.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Defining posthumanism as a single, well-oriented philosophy is a difficult if not impossible endeavour. Part of the reason for this difficulty is accounted by posthumanism’s illusive origins and its perpetually changing hermeneutics. This short paper gives a brief account of the ecological trend in contemporary posthumanism and provides a short prescription for the future of posthumanist literature and potential research avenues. |
 | Umbrello, Steven; Baum, Seth D Evaluating future nanotechnology: The net societal impacts of atomically precise manufacturing Journal Article In: Futures, vol. 100, no. June, pp. 63–73, 2018, ISSN: 00163287. @article{Umbrello2018m,
title = {Evaluating future nanotechnology: The net societal impacts of atomically precise manufacturing},
author = {Steven Umbrello and Seth D Baum},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0016328717301908},
doi = {10.1016/j.futures.2018.04.007},
issn = {00163287},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-06-01},
journal = {Futures},
volume = {100},
number = {June},
pages = {63--73},
abstract = {Atomically precise manufacturing (APM) is the assembly of materials with atomic precision. APM does not currently exist, and may not be feasible, but if it is feasible, then the societal impacts could be dramatic. This paper assesses the net societal impacts of APM across the full range of important APM sectors: general material wealth, environmental issues, military affairs, surveillance, artificial intelligence, and space travel. Positive effects were found for material wealth, the environment, military affairs (specifically nuclear disarmament), and space travel. Negative effects were found for military affairs (specifically rogue actor violence and AI. The net effect for surveillance was ambiguous. The effects for the environment, military affairs, and AI appear to be the largest, with the environment perhaps being the largest of these, suggesting that APM would be net beneficial to society. However, these factors are not well quantified and no definitive conclusion can be made. One conclusion that can be reached is that if APM R&D is pursued, it should go hand-in-hand with effective governance strategies to increase the benefits and reduce the harms.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Atomically precise manufacturing (APM) is the assembly of materials with atomic precision. APM does not currently exist, and may not be feasible, but if it is feasible, then the societal impacts could be dramatic. This paper assesses the net societal impacts of APM across the full range of important APM sectors: general material wealth, environmental issues, military affairs, surveillance, artificial intelligence, and space travel. Positive effects were found for material wealth, the environment, military affairs (specifically nuclear disarmament), and space travel. Negative effects were found for military affairs (specifically rogue actor violence and AI. The net effect for surveillance was ambiguous. The effects for the environment, military affairs, and AI appear to be the largest, with the environment perhaps being the largest of these, suggesting that APM would be net beneficial to society. However, these factors are not well quantified and no definitive conclusion can be made. One conclusion that can be reached is that if APM R&D is pursued, it should go hand-in-hand with effective governance strategies to increase the benefits and reduce the harms. |
 | Umbrello, Steven The moral psychology of value sensitive design: the methodological issues of moral intuitions for responsible innovation Journal Article In: Journal of Responsible Innovation, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 186–200, 2018, ISSN: 2329-9460. @article{Umbrello2018j,
title = {The moral psychology of value sensitive design: the methodological issues of moral intuitions for responsible innovation},
author = {Steven Umbrello},
url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23299460.2018.1457401},
doi = {10.1080/23299460.2018.1457401},
issn = {2329-9460},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-05-01},
journal = {Journal of Responsible Innovation},
volume = {5},
number = {2},
pages = {186--200},
publisher = {Taylor & Francis},
abstract = {This paper argues that although moral intuitions are insufficient for making judgments on new technological innovations, they maintain great utility for informing responsible innovation. To do this, this paper employs the Value Sensitive Design (VSD) methodology as an illustrative example of how stakeholder values can be better distilled to inform responsible innovation. Further, it is argued that moral intuitions are necessary for determining stakeholder values required for the design of responsible technologies. This argument is supported by the claim that the moral intuitions of stakeholders allow designers to conceptualize stakeholder values and incorporate them into the early phases of design. It is concluded that design-for-values (DFV) frameworks like the VSD methodology can remain potent if developers adopt heuristic tools to diminish the influence of cognitive biases thus strengthening the reliability of moral intuitions.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This paper argues that although moral intuitions are insufficient for making judgments on new technological innovations, they maintain great utility for informing responsible innovation. To do this, this paper employs the Value Sensitive Design (VSD) methodology as an illustrative example of how stakeholder values can be better distilled to inform responsible innovation. Further, it is argued that moral intuitions are necessary for determining stakeholder values required for the design of responsible technologies. This argument is supported by the claim that the moral intuitions of stakeholders allow designers to conceptualize stakeholder values and incorporate them into the early phases of design. It is concluded that design-for-values (DFV) frameworks like the VSD methodology can remain potent if developers adopt heuristic tools to diminish the influence of cognitive biases thus strengthening the reliability of moral intuitions. |
| Umbrello, Steven Book Review: Phil Torres's Morality, Foresight, and Human Flourishing: An Introduction to Existential Risks Journal Article In: Futures, vol. 98, no. April, pp. 90–91, 2018, ISSN: 00163287. @article{Umbrello2018k,
title = {Book Review: Phil Torres's Morality, Foresight, and Human Flourishing: An Introduction to Existential Risks},
author = {Steven Umbrello},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001632871730263X?via%3Dihub https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S001632871730263X},
doi = {10.1016/j.futures.2018.02.007},
issn = {00163287},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-04-01},
journal = {Futures},
volume = {98},
number = {April},
pages = {90--91},
abstract = {A new book by Phil Torres, Morality, Foresight, and Human Flourishing: An Introduction to Existential Risks, is reviewed. Morality, Foresight and Human Flourishing is a primer intended to introduce students and interested scholars to the concepts and literature on existential risk. The book's core methodology is to outline the various existential risks currently discussed in different disciplines and provides novel strategies for risk mitigation. The book is stylistically engaging, lucid and academically current, providing both novice readers and seasoned scholars with an easy-to-read introduction to risk studies. The book is by far the most engaging and comprehensive volume on risk studies aimed at captivating new scholars to the field.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
A new book by Phil Torres, Morality, Foresight, and Human Flourishing: An Introduction to Existential Risks, is reviewed. Morality, Foresight and Human Flourishing is a primer intended to introduce students and interested scholars to the concepts and literature on existential risk. The book's core methodology is to outline the various existential risks currently discussed in different disciplines and provides novel strategies for risk mitigation. The book is stylistically engaging, lucid and academically current, providing both novice readers and seasoned scholars with an easy-to-read introduction to risk studies. The book is by far the most engaging and comprehensive volume on risk studies aimed at captivating new scholars to the field. |
 | Umbrello, Steven Humankind: solidarity with nonhuman people Journal Article In: Journal of Critical Realism, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 84–86, 2018, ISSN: 1476-7430. @article{Umbrello2018c,
title = {Humankind: solidarity with nonhuman people},
author = {Steven Umbrello},
url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14767430.2018.1437878},
doi = {10.1080/14767430.2018.1437878},
issn = {1476-7430},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Critical Realism},
volume = {17},
number = {1},
pages = {84--86},
abstract = {A new book by Timothy Morton, Humankind: Solidarity with Nonhuman People, is reviewed. Humankind: Solidarity with Nonhuman People is a project into the applied political ethics that emerge between speculative realism and Marxism. This book is intended to build on the object-oriented ontology that Morton has espoused in previous volumes, however with a greater emphasis on normative politics. The book's core methodology is to outline the various neologisms that Morton employs and incorporate those speculative realist terms into a retooling of Marxist. The book dialogue prose is a poetic tour de force that is both academically and philosophically rigorous. Morton provides a novel reworking of Marxist theory that can exist on the cutting edge of continental philosophy.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
A new book by Timothy Morton, Humankind: Solidarity with Nonhuman People, is reviewed. Humankind: Solidarity with Nonhuman People is a project into the applied political ethics that emerge between speculative realism and Marxism. This book is intended to build on the object-oriented ontology that Morton has espoused in previous volumes, however with a greater emphasis on normative politics. The book's core methodology is to outline the various neologisms that Morton employs and incorporate those speculative realist terms into a retooling of Marxist. The book dialogue prose is a poetic tour de force that is both academically and philosophically rigorous. Morton provides a novel reworking of Marxist theory that can exist on the cutting edge of continental philosophy. |
 | Umbrello, Steven A Theory of Everything? Journal Article In: Cultural Studies Review, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 184–186, 2018. @article{Umbrello2018d,
title = {A Theory of Everything?},
author = {Steven Umbrello},
doi = {10.5130/csr.v24i1.6318},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-01-01},
journal = {Cultural Studies Review},
volume = {24},
number = {2},
pages = {184--186},
abstract = {Harman is generally regarded as the father of object-oriented ontology, one of the few
instantiations of speculative realism, a philosophical position that criticizes the anthropocentric
post-Kantian position that all being is the reduction of the correlation between human
cognition and the object of inquiry.His 1999 doctoral dissertation “Tool-Being: Elements
in a Theory of Objects,” launched the term ‘object-oriented philosophy,' which Levi Bryant
rechristened as an ontology in 2009. Both terms are used synonymously by speculative realists,
although Bryant's formulation has greater typological appeal. With this book, Harman ignites
the philosophical domain by providing the first dedicated account of OOO for a general
readership.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Harman is generally regarded as the father of object-oriented ontology, one of the few
instantiations of speculative realism, a philosophical position that criticizes the anthropocentric
post-Kantian position that all being is the reduction of the correlation between human
cognition and the object of inquiry.His 1999 doctoral dissertation “Tool-Being: Elements
in a Theory of Objects,” launched the term ‘object-oriented philosophy,' which Levi Bryant
rechristened as an ontology in 2009. Both terms are used synonymously by speculative realists,
although Bryant's formulation has greater typological appeal. With this book, Harman ignites
the philosophical domain by providing the first dedicated account of OOO for a general
readership. |
 | Umbrello, Steven A Review of Leonardo Caffo and Azzurra Muzzonigro's Journal Article In: Journal of Futures Studies, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 101–103, 2018. @article{Umbrello2018e,
title = {A Review of Leonardo Caffo and Azzurra Muzzonigro's },
author = {Steven Umbrello},
url = {https://jfsdigital.org/articles-and-essays/2018-2/a-review-of-leonardo-caffo-and-azzurra-muzzonigros-costruire-futuri-migrazioni-citta-immaginazioni/},
doi = {10.6531/JFS.201812_23(2).0007},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-01-01},
booktitle = {Journal of Futures Studies},
journal = {Journal of Futures Studies},
volume = {23},
number = {1},
pages = {101--103},
abstract = {Modernism has provided a strong case for technoprogressivism, innovation and speculation on future possibilities. However, drastic and often devastating consequences have followed modernism such as global warming and mass biodiversity loss. In Leonardo Caffo and Azzurra Muzzonigro's new book 1 , a case for posthumanism as a means for envisioning and rethinking futures studies is argued and practical means by which those futures can be realized are outlined. A critique of modernity and grand narratives of unification, Caffo and Muzzonigro aim to revaluate contemporaneity to imagine more authentic futures and the means by which peoples can realize them. At its core, Costruire Futuri (literally, Constructing Futures) is a prototypical work in posthumanist ethics, but anything but aprototypical in its execution. The authors contend that the hybridization between the disciplines of philosophy, art and architecture are essential engines for change. Similarly, the book itself is constructed as a hybrid project rather than one of simple interdisciplinarity, one that hybridizes the three disciplines as co-constituting one another. The central thesis here is that constructing futures means correcting past errors as if they are causes rather than mere consequences. The past is alive, embodied and continually transforming current and future practices. Similarly, envisioned futures shape the present and affect the hermeneutics of the past.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Modernism has provided a strong case for technoprogressivism, innovation and speculation on future possibilities. However, drastic and often devastating consequences have followed modernism such as global warming and mass biodiversity loss. In Leonardo Caffo and Azzurra Muzzonigro's new book 1 , a case for posthumanism as a means for envisioning and rethinking futures studies is argued and practical means by which those futures can be realized are outlined. A critique of modernity and grand narratives of unification, Caffo and Muzzonigro aim to revaluate contemporaneity to imagine more authentic futures and the means by which peoples can realize them. At its core, Costruire Futuri (literally, Constructing Futures) is a prototypical work in posthumanist ethics, but anything but aprototypical in its execution. The authors contend that the hybridization between the disciplines of philosophy, art and architecture are essential engines for change. Similarly, the book itself is constructed as a hybrid project rather than one of simple interdisciplinarity, one that hybridizes the three disciplines as co-constituting one another. The central thesis here is that constructing futures means correcting past errors as if they are causes rather than mere consequences. The past is alive, embodied and continually transforming current and future practices. Similarly, envisioned futures shape the present and affect the hermeneutics of the past. |
 | Umbrello, Steven; Bellis, Angelo F De A Value-Sensitive Design Approach to Intelligent Agents Book Section In: Yampolskiy, Roman V (Ed.): Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security, pp. 395–410, CRC Press, 2018, ISBN: 9780815369820. @incollection{Umbrello2018l,
title = {A Value-Sensitive Design Approach to Intelligent Agents},
author = {Steven Umbrello and Angelo F {De Bellis}},
editor = {Roman V Yampolskiy},
doi = {10.13140/RG.2.2.17162.77762},
isbn = {9780815369820},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-01-01},
booktitle = {Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security},
pages = {395--410},
publisher = {CRC Press},
chapter = {26},
abstract = {This chapter proposed a novel design methodology called Value-Sensitive Design and its potential application to the field of artificial intelligence research and design. It discusses the imperatives in adopting a design philosophy that embeds values into the design of artificial agents at the early stages of AI development. Because of the high risk stakes in the unmitigated design of artificial agents, this chapter proposes that even though VSD may turn out to be a less-than-optimal design methodology, it currently provides a framework that has the potential to embed stakeholder values and incorporate current design methods. The reader should begin to take away the importance of a proactive design approach to intelligent agents},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {incollection}
}
This chapter proposed a novel design methodology called Value-Sensitive Design and its potential application to the field of artificial intelligence research and design. It discusses the imperatives in adopting a design philosophy that embeds values into the design of artificial agents at the early stages of AI development. Because of the high risk stakes in the unmitigated design of artificial agents, this chapter proposes that even though VSD may turn out to be a less-than-optimal design methodology, it currently provides a framework that has the potential to embed stakeholder values and incorporate current design methods. The reader should begin to take away the importance of a proactive design approach to intelligent agents |
2017
|
 | Umbrello, Steven Designing in Ethics Journal Article In: Prometheus: Critical Studies in Innovation, vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 160–161, 2017, ISBN: 9780511844317. @article{Umbrello2018i,
title = {Designing in Ethics},
author = {Steven Umbrello},
doi = {10.1017/9780511844317},
isbn = {9780511844317},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-01-01},
journal = {Prometheus: Critical Studies in Innovation},
volume = {35},
number = {2},
pages = {160--161},
abstract = {Many of our interactions in the twenty-first century - both good and bad - take place by means of institutions, technology, and artefacts. We inhabit a world of implements, instruments, devices, systems, gadgets, and infrastructures. Technology is not only something that we make, but is also something that in many ways makes us. The discipline of ethics must take this constitutive feature of institutions and technology into account; thus, ethics must in turn be embedded in our institutions and technology. The contributors to this book argue that the methodology of 'designing in ethics' - addressing and resolving the issues raised by technology through the use of appropriate technological design - is the way to achieve this integration. They apply their original methodology to a wide range of institutions and technologies, using case studies from the fields of healthcare, media and security. Their volume will be important for philosophical practitioners and theorists alike.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Many of our interactions in the twenty-first century - both good and bad - take place by means of institutions, technology, and artefacts. We inhabit a world of implements, instruments, devices, systems, gadgets, and infrastructures. Technology is not only something that we make, but is also something that in many ways makes us. The discipline of ethics must take this constitutive feature of institutions and technology into account; thus, ethics must in turn be embedded in our institutions and technology. The contributors to this book argue that the methodology of 'designing in ethics' - addressing and resolving the issues raised by technology through the use of appropriate technological design - is the way to achieve this integration. They apply their original methodology to a wide range of institutions and technologies, using case studies from the fields of healthcare, media and security. Their volume will be important for philosophical practitioners and theorists alike. |
 | Umbrello, Steven The Rise of Realism Journal Article In: International Journal of Actor-Network Theory and Technological Innovation, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 63–66, 2017, ISBN: 9781509519026. @article{Umbrello2017,
title = {The Rise of Realism},
author = {Steven Umbrello},
url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322964127_The_Rise_of_Realism_Reviewed_by_Steven_Umbrello},
isbn = {9781509519026},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-01-01},
journal = {International Journal of Actor-Network Theory and Technological Innovation},
volume = {9},
number = {2},
pages = {63--66},
abstract = {A new book by Manuel DeLanda and Graham Harman, The Rise of Realism, is reviewed. The Rise of Realism is an introductory text that aims to clarify the difficulties that surround the philosophical concepts of realism and materialism (as well as their antitheses). This primer intended to introduce students and interested scholars to the concepts and literature on realism and its place in the continental tradition of philosophy and related social theory. The book’s core methodology is to outline the various appropriations of the terms realism and materialism currently discussed in different sub-disciplines of philosophy as well as provide the reader with the authors’ own unique positions on realism. The book dialogue prose is stylistically engaging, lucid and academically current, providing both novice readers and seasoned scholars with an easy-to-read exploration of current continental thought that also has far-reaching implications for other disciplines such as critical theory, social theory and science and technology studies.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
A new book by Manuel DeLanda and Graham Harman, The Rise of Realism, is reviewed. The Rise of Realism is an introductory text that aims to clarify the difficulties that surround the philosophical concepts of realism and materialism (as well as their antitheses). This primer intended to introduce students and interested scholars to the concepts and literature on realism and its place in the continental tradition of philosophy and related social theory. The book’s core methodology is to outline the various appropriations of the terms realism and materialism currently discussed in different sub-disciplines of philosophy as well as provide the reader with the authors’ own unique positions on realism. The book dialogue prose is stylistically engaging, lucid and academically current, providing both novice readers and seasoned scholars with an easy-to-read exploration of current continental thought that also has far-reaching implications for other disciplines such as critical theory, social theory and science and technology studies. |