Journal Articles by Brian Green
Futures, 2019
Human survival is currently threatened by many existential risks. Because humankind is the only k... more Human survival is currently threatened by many existential risks. Because humankind is the only known species capable of complex morality, if humankind went extinct, morality would die with us. Given that the existence of humankind is a precondition for morality, therefore the first principle of morality should be, as Hans Jonas noted, that humankind must exist. Compared to ensuring human survival, all other moral values and actions are secondary. While protecting human life on Earth is the obvious choice for human survival, as long as humanity is in only one place, it will never be completely safe. Because space settlement gives humankind the opportunity to significantly raise the chances of survival for our species, it is therefore a moral imperative to settle space as quickly as possible.
Big Data and Cognitive Computing, 2019
There are two types of artificial general intelligence (AGI) safety solutions: global and local. ... more There are two types of artificial general intelligence (AGI) safety solutions: global and local. Most previously suggested solutions are local: they explain how to align or "box" a specific AI (Artificial Intelligence), but do not explain how to prevent the creation of dangerous AI in other places. Global solutions are those that ensure any AI on Earth is not dangerous. The number of suggested global solutions is much smaller than the number of proposed local solutions. Global solutions can be divided into four groups: 1. No AI: AGI technology is banned or its use is otherwise prevented; 2. One AI: the first superintelligent AI is used to prevent the creation of any others; 3. Net of AIs as AI police: a balance is created between many AIs, so they evolve as a net and can prevent any rogue AI from taking over the world; 4. Humans inside AI: humans are augmented or part of AI. We explore many ideas, both old and new, regarding global solutions for AI safety. They include changing the number of AI teams, different forms of "AI Nanny" (non-self-improving global control AI system able to prevent creation of dangerous AIs), selling AI safety solutions, and sending messages to future AI. Not every local solution scales to a global solution or does it ethically and safely. The choice of the best local solution should include understanding of the ways in which it will be scaled up. Human-AI teams or a superintelligent AI Service as suggested by Drexler may be examples of such ethically scalable local solutions, but the final choice depends on some unknown variables such as the speed of AI progress.
Scientia et Fides, 2018
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology presents a multitude of ethical concerns, many of which a... more Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology presents a multitude of ethical concerns, many of which are being actively considered by organizations ranging from small groups in civil society to large corporations and governments. However, it also presents ethical concerns which are not being actively considered. This paper presents a broad overview of twelve topics in ethics in AI, including function, transparency, evil use, good use, bias, unemployment, socioeconomic inequality, moral automation and human de-skilling, robot consciousness and rights, dependency, social-psychological effects, and spiritual effects. Each of these topics will be given a brief discussion, though each deserves much deeper consideration.
Purpose Islands have long been discussed as refuges from global catastrophes; this paper will eva... more Purpose Islands have long been discussed as refuges from global catastrophes; this paper will evaluate them systematically, discussing both the positives and negatives of islands as refuges. There are examples of isolated human communities surviving for thousands of years on places like Easter Island. Islands could provide protection against many low-level risks, notably including bio-risks. However, they are vulnerable to tsunamis, bird-transmitted diseases, and other risks. This article explores how to use the advantages of islands for survival during global catastrophes. Methodology: Preliminary horizon scanning based on the application of the research principles established in the previous global catastrophic literature to the existing geographic data. Findings The large number of islands on Earth, and their diverse conditions, increase the chance that one of them will provide protection from a catastrophe. Additionally, this protection could be increased if an island were used as a base for a nuclear submarine refuge combined with underground bunkers, and/or extremely long-term data storage. The requirements for survival on islands, their vulnerabilities, and ways to mitigate and adapt to risks are explored. Several existing islands, suitable for the survival of different types of risk, timing, and budgets, are examined. Islands suitable for different types of refuges and other island-like options that could also provide protection are also discussed. Originality/value The possible use of islands as refuges from social collapse and existential risks has not been previously examined systematically. This article contributes to the expanding research on survival scenarios.
Over 2000 years the Catholic Church has slowly developed a posture towards technology which is pr... more Over 2000 years the Catholic Church has slowly developed a posture towards technology which is predominantly techno-optimist and techno-progressive, and yet the Church does not have this reputation today. Concomitantly, Church institutions and individuals have made crucial contributions to the advance of science and technology, yet despite this practical effort to better human development, Christian theology has been remarkably uninterested in the subject of technology. This lack of interest is no longer tenable; scholars of religion and theologians should seriously engage technology because it is empowering humanity in ways that were previously reserved only for gods. This blind spot has not only hampered the Church's ability to understand itself and our world, but also impeded the ability of the Church to fulfill its mission. Pope Francis's 2015 encyclical Laudato Si has begun to address this neglect, but is best understood in the context of Christian history, not only as written, but more so as practiced.
A B S T R A C T Recently many methods for reducing the risk of human extinction have been suggest... more A B S T R A C T Recently many methods for reducing the risk of human extinction have been suggested, including building refuges underground and in space. Here we will discuss the perspective of using military nuclear submarines or their derivatives to ensure the survival of a small portion of humanity who will be able to rebuild human civilization after a large catastrophe. We will show that it is a very cost-effective way to build refuges, and viable solutions exist for various budgets and timeframes. Nuclear submarines are surface independent, and could provide energy, oxygen, fresh water and perhaps even food for their inhabitants for years. They are able to withstand close nuclear explosions and radiation. They are able to maintain isolation from biological attacks and most known weapons. They already exist and need only small adaptation to be used as refuges. But building refuges is only " Plan B " of existential risk preparation; it is better to eliminate such risks than try to survive them.
This article compares how the ethical systems of Kant, Mill, and Aristotle might react towards an... more This article compares how the ethical systems of Kant, Mill, and Aristotle might react towards and treat extraterrestrial non-life, extraterrestrial non-intelligent life, and extraterrestrial intelligent life. It concludes that even in the absence of extraterrestrial life, the thought experiment still leads to insights for how these systems operate, and that further investigation of ethical systems as applied to space may well lead to more insights.
Transhumanists have asserted that religious people would both oppose life extension and allowing ... more Transhumanists have asserted that religious people would both oppose life extension and allowing people with extended lives to die. In this paper, coming from a Roman Catholic perspective, I refute four myths associated with these claims: that the Church opposes life extension both materially and conceptually, that it opposes human genetic manipulation, and opposes allowing people to die. I then propose that there are four real tensions that are much more significant: that material immortality is highly improbable, that injustice and inequality are major concerns, that transhuman omnipotence is impossible, and that utopianism is extremely dangerous.
Theology and Science
Catholic Thomistic natural law is Aristotelian and pre-scientific, and this has made it somewhat ... more Catholic Thomistic natural law is Aristotelian and pre-scientific, and this has made it somewhat difficult to reconcile with contemporary science. Thomistic natural law needs an updated philosophy of nature in order to engage contemporary science. Terrence Deacon's emergent dynamics theory may serve this function; it is both neo-Aristotelian and well-integrated with contemporary science. This paper will investigate some points of concordance and discordance between Catholic Thomistic natural law theory and emergent dynamics theory. If these two theories are reconcilable, then Thomistic natural law may have found a philosophy of nature which permits it to productively engage contemporary science.
Theology and Science, Aug 2012
Recent research in cognitive science has shown that humans innately prefer teleological explanati... more Recent research in cognitive science has shown that humans innately prefer teleological explanations. Children even go so far as to hypothesize the existence of a deity in order to justify teleological explanations. Aristotle also believed in the importance of teleology for human psychology. This paper investigates the convergence of ideas from the cognitive science of teleology with the Aristotelian understanding of teleology visible in the virtues of techne and wisdom. I argue that Aristotelian psychology and ethics is gaining empirical support, and that this could have important implications for science, philosophy, and theology.
American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 2000
The known distributions of two mutational variants of the albumin gene that are restricted to Mex... more The known distributions of two mutational variants of the albumin gene that are restricted to Mexico and/or North America, Albumin Mexico (AL*Mexico) and Albumin Naskapi (AL*Naskapi), were expanded by the electrophoretic analysis of sera collected from more than 3,500 Native Americans representing several dozen tribal groups. With a few exceptions that could be due to recent, isolated cases of admixture, AL*Naskapi is limited to groups that speak Athapaskan and Algonquian, two widely distributed language families not thought to be related, and to several linguistically unrelated groups geographically proximate to its probable ancestral homeland. Similarly, AL*Mexico is limited to groups that speak Yuman or Uto-Aztecan, two language groups in the American Southwest and Baja California not thought to be closely related to each other, and to several linguistically unrelated groups throughout Mexico. The simultaneous consideration of genetic, historical, linguistic, and archaeological evidence suggests that AL*Naskapi probably originated on the northwestern coast of North America, perhaps in some group ancestral to both Athapaskans and Algonquians, and then spread by migration and admixture to contiguous unrelated, or distantly related, tribal groups. AL*Mexico probably originated in Mexico before 3,000 years BP then spread northward along the Tepiman corridor together with cultural influences to several unrelated groups that participated in the Hohokam culture. Am J Phys Anthropol 111: 557–572, 2000.
Book Chapters by Brian Green
One chapter of the 2015 Lutheran University Press Festschrift for Ted Peters, this chapter looks ... more One chapter of the 2015 Lutheran University Press Festschrift for Ted Peters, this chapter looks at Ted Peters work on theology and ethics as it relates to astrobiology. It first considers possibilities for convergences and divergences between humans and other intelligent creatures (including ETIs), then considers some scenarios for possible contact with ETIs (including transhumanism, moral imperialism, and extinction), then considers the significance of these ideas for theology and ethics.
Published Conference Proceedings by Brian Green
— Numerous emerging technologies promise great, but finite, benefits while also placing humanity ... more — Numerous emerging technologies promise great, but finite, benefits while also placing humanity at tremendous risk, even the risk of extinction (an infinite loss). This paper argues that these risky technologies need to be developed with great care and that three strategies should be broadly implemented in order to facilitate risk mitigation and adaptation towards these risks. The first strategy is to mitigate risk by containing the research and development of risky technologies to science, technology and engineering (STE) professionals. The second strategy is to mitigate risk by directing technological development towards good uses of emerging technologies and away from risky uses. The third strategy is to adapt to catastrophic risks through defensive adaptation: preparing for disaster response and recovery. STE professional societies should play key roles in this project to create a better future.
IEEE Xplore, May 23, 2014
In this paper I argue that, yes, science, technology, and engineering are now the most important ... more In this paper I argue that, yes, science, technology, and engineering are now the most important subjects for ethics to study. Due to the dramatic expansion of human power brought about by science, technology, and engineering, ethics needs to re-evaluate how humans should act given our new power. But it is not only ethics that needs to study science, technology and engineering – likewise, scientists, technologists, and engineers need to study ethics with great diligence, and embody ethical behavior in their lives, as befits many professional engineering societies’ goals of holding paramount the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
Conference Papers by Brian Green
Conference PowerPoint presentation slides for SoCIA 2016, Clemson, SC.
A brief workshop paper on risks presented by synthetic biology and our ethical responsibility to ... more A brief workshop paper on risks presented by synthetic biology and our ethical responsibility to control such risks.
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Journal Articles by Brian Green
Book Chapters by Brian Green
Published Conference Proceedings by Brian Green
Conference Papers by Brian Green
Study Sections:
1. Parameters of Study
2. Terms, Distinctions, and Clarifications of Interest
3. ANH: Some Preliminary Clarifications
3a. Loss of appetite and dehydration
3b. Types of ANH and their risks
4. Natural Dying (Natural Death)
4a. Natural death and the law
4a1. Right to die
5. Withdrawing and Withholding ANH
6. Terminal Illness
6a. Distinction between a terminal illness and an irreversible illness
6b. Mental capacities of the terminally ill
7. Act vs. Omission
8. End of Life Decisions
8a. Medical Ethical Concerns
8b. Religious Concerns
8c. Cultural Concerns
9. Advanced Care Directive
10. Quality of Life
11. Hospice Criteria of Admission
12. Key Distinctions in Medical Ethics
13. Links of Interest
14. Bibliographic link
Parameters of Study
The concentration of this study will be on the terminally ill older population. The first phase of this study will explore existing literature on the subject of withholding or withdrawing ANH (nourishment also termed “alimentation” in some literature). The second phase of this study has two parts. The first is to document the monetary costs of end-of-life care in California and nationally; palliative care will be categorized separately from other medical interventions. The second part of this study proceeds to the more difficult areas: ethical, religious, and cultural beliefs and attitudes pertinent to end-of-life care. Ethical issues around “natural dying” (i.e., withholding or withdrawing ANH for elderly in the terminal phase) will be critical to this study. What ought to be done for the benefit of the individual will need to outweigh the utilitarian benefits derived by savings to society or the state. The intent is not to persuade individuals to end life against their desires, but to broaden the acceptability and possible avenues to end life naturally.
It is generally accepted in the health care field that the withholding of nourishment and fluids does not cause pain at the end of life--albeit this matter is still debated. Stopping nourishment generally results in death within 21 days, ceasing hydration generally results in death within 7 days. The use of pain medicine assists in assuring a painless death.
The eventual goal of the study is to create a framework within which public policy and cultural beliefs and attitudes can be discussed to enable a quality-of-life approach to end-of-life care rather than the mere extension of life.
(May 2012)
1. This Teaching Note for the instructor provides background on the Encyclical and specific discussion questions which the instructor can use to guide discussion in class. After each discussion question, this note identifies key points students or the instructor should make during the discussion. The teaching note concludes with “A Summary the Instructor May Use to Conclude Discussion.”
2. “Excerpts from Laudato Si for Discussion in Class,” is a separate document to be read by students before class. It can be reproduced and handed out, or sent electronically to students. It consists of a short description of five key themes in the Encyclical, the important question or questions raised by that theme, and selected paragraphs from the Encyclical addressing that theme. If read thoughtfully in advance, it should provide adequate preparation for the students to participate in the discussion outlined in this teaching note.
This teaching module is designed to be used in a single 50 to 60 minute class period, or a shorter period over several days. It can be used in several different types of courses, including a business ethics course, an environmental studies course, a religious studies course, among others. The type of course will determine which discussion questions and discussion points the instructor wishes to emphasize. The authors were particularly focused on providing a way to use the Encyclical in a business ethics class.
This module is designed to permit the students to discuss the encyclical by Pope Francis and its major themes, without having to read the entire encyclical. A link is provided in the “Excerpts” document to the full text of the Encyclical on the Vatican website. For several of the themes, additional paragraphs from the Encyclical are recommended which further develop the theme.
The authors ask that when you use this module, please send an email to the authors telling: 1) how you used the module, 2) how the students responded to the reading assignment and to the discussion, and 3) what changes you would recommend in this module and future similar modules. Please email [email protected] and [email protected].
Summary
The encyclical letter Laudato Si (“Praised Be”) by Pope Francis is the most comprehensive Vatican document to date on environmentalism, ethics, and Christian faith. The document is intended for all people, not Catholics or Christians alone. Its arguments are founded on theological convictions. But these convictions are then put into a general philosophical language more accessible to the intended global Catholic and non-Catholic readership. Laudato Si covers vast intellectual territory and a multitude of themes in its 40,000 words. Many different categories of moral reasoning are deployed: human rights, natural law, character, justice, and consequences. Throughout the document, the twin pillars of ethical analysis remain, as in recent documents of Catholic social teaching, the concepts of human dignity and the common good. But in Laudato Si one of the striking ethical features is its focus on the intrinsic value and rights of non-human creatures and ecosystems. Another striking feature of the document’s ethical content is how much it amplifies the notion of the common good: Everything human and non-human is connected, the document says repeatedly, and human moral failure in engagement with the natural world often occurs when this interconnectedness is forgotten or not seen or ignored. One kind of moral reasoning that comes in for special criticism in the encyclical is an arid utilitarianism associated with an economic and technological logic detached from broader moral concerns.
Here I will endeavor to provide only a brief overview of the immense literature surrounding the Catholic understanding of conscience. In the first section I will provide some background to the subject of conscience, in the second some examples of perennial issues that arise in the discussion of conscience, and in the third some current examples of conscience in the news."
Contents
1 Parameters of Study
2 Terms, Distinctions, and Clarifications of Interest
3 Medical Ethical Concerns
4 Religious Concerns
5 Cultural Concerns
6 Links of Interest
7 Bibliographic link
Parameters of Study
The concentration of this study will be on the terminally ill older population. Here, we explore ethical, religious, and cultural beliefs and attitudes pertinent to end-of-life care. We intend this as a springboard for further exploration. In addition to the links we include in this page, we invite readers to survey the bibliography we have prepared in support of this page: "Religion and ANH" Bibliography. This page and the bibliography together make up our project on religious and cultural perspectives on withholding nutrition and hydration in terminally ill elderly patients.
The eventual goal of the study is to create a framework within which public policy and cultural beliefs and attitudes can be discussed to enable a quality-of-life approach to end-of-life care rather than the mere extension of life. A broader study would include exploration of related topics such as a more complete survey of the available medical literature, especially that which distinguishes among ANH patients with different medical conditions, exploration of alternative non-religious ethical arguments regarding ANH, presentation of the monetary costs of ANH in the terminally ill elderly and questions of social justice (both to the elderly and the broader society) that this raises, and societal views on ANH. Our intention here is to provide a "deep" bibliography along with an outline of principal points of concern for the question of religious and cultural concerns specifically.
• Existing military submarines could be upgraded for this function with relatively low cost
• Contemporary submarines could provide several months of surface independence
• A specially designed fleet of nuclear submarines could potentially survive years or even decades under water
• Nuclear submarine refuges could be a step towards the creation of space refuges
The lead authors for this volume were Matthew J. Gaudet, Noreen Herzfeld, Paul Scherz, and Jordan Wales; and the contributing authors were Nathan Colaner, Jeremiah Coogan, Mariele Courtois, Brian Cutter, David E. DeCosse, Justin Charles Gable, OP, Brian Patrick Green, James Kintz, Cory Andrew Labrecque, Catherine Moon, Anselm Ramelow, OP, John P. Slattery, Margarita Vega, Luis G. Vera, Andrea Vicini, SJ, and Warren von Eschenbach.
The AI Research Group is a group of North American theologians, philosophers, and ethicists who have come together at the invitation of the Vatican Centre for Digital Culture, under the auspices of the Dicastery for Culture and Education of the Holy See, to discuss the current and future issues that the continued development of artificial intelligence poses for life and society as we know it. This book is the result of the collaborative efforts of these scholars from 2020 to 2023.