Neuro-Techno-Philosophy and the Future of Philosophy

Given the rapid neuroscientific and technological advances in recent years, I have argued that philosophers who wish to tackle intractable philosophical problems and influence public discourse and policies should engage in Neuro-Techno-Philosophy. This novel type of inquiry describes the transdisciplinary endeavour of philosophers, (neuro)scientists, and others to anticipate the societal implications of the impending transformations. Neuro-Techno-Philosophy will be indispensable to understanding and engaging with these game-changing innovations and will therefore play a pivotal role in the future of philosophy.

Articles

Remarks

“The Nayef Al-Rodhan International Book Prize in Transdisciplinary Philosophy is a new and exciting venture for us – this is its second year – and we are delighted to be involved in the initiative."

"Professor Nayef Al-Rodhan is an extraordinarily active, visionary thinker, agent of change and a leading light and pioneer of Transdisciplinary Philosophy.

He is a philosopher, neuroscientist, geostrategist and futurologist. He is the author of 25 books, and more than 300 articles. His current research focuses on transdisciplinarity and the future of philosophy."

Remarks at the Royal Institute of Philosophy’s Nayef Al-Rodhan International Prize in Transdisciplinary Philosophy; by Professor Lucy O’Brien FBA (Richard Wollheim Chair of Philosophy at University College London (UCL); Chair of Trustees of The Royal Institute of Philosophy, UK; Fellow of The British Academy)

Endorsements and Mentions in the Media

Institute of Art & Ideas: “Philosophy needs a Renaissance - Transcending disciplines to shape the future” (November 2023)

Featured in this article analysing why philosophers need to become “Renaissance thinkers” if they are to play a role in tackling some of the biggest questions of the future. This will require “transcending their discipline into neuroscience, technology, and beyond.”

“Perhaps the greatest champion of transdisciplinarity in our time is the philosopher, neuroscientist, geostrategist, and futurologist Nayef Al-Rodhan. According to Al-Rodhan, the future of philosophy must be transdisciplinary. The ‘must’ in question is a normative one. In his most recent paper, ‘Transdisciplinarity, Neuro-techno-philosophy, and the Future of Philosophy’ (Metaphilosophy, Vol. 54, 2022).....”

Research Features: “The Future of Philosophy is Transdisciplinary”
Commentary on My Neuro-Techno-Philosophy Framework in Research Features - May 2023

“While Neuro-Techno-Philosophy is not the only transdisciplinary research worth pursuing, it is one of the most important areas of study because it brings together global priorities that arise from a host of innovations relating to artificial intelligence, consciousness, and geopolitics.”

“The time has now come to push the neuro-techno-philosophical envelope further, as the very question of what it means to be human (or transhuman) is reshaped before our eyes. Given the meteoric advances in neuroscience and neurotechnology, anyone seeking to understand, predict, encourage, or prevent the impending disruptive technologies as well as societal implications that will emerge in their wake would do well to study and practice Neuro-Techno-Philosophy.”

Euronews: “EU's AI regulation vote looms. We’re still not sure how unrestrained AI should be” (March 2023): “The philosopher, neuroscientist and AI ethics expert Professor Nayef Al-Rodhan makes a convincing case for a pioneering type of transdisciplinary inquiry — Neuro-Techno-Philosophy (NTP).

NTP makes a case for creating an alliance of neuroscientists, philosophers, social scientists, AI experts and others to help understand how disruptive technologies will impact society and the global system. We would be wise to take note.”

Euronews: “EU's AI regulation vote looms. We’re still not sure how unrestrained AI should be” (March 2023): “Al-Rodhan, and other academics who connect the dots between (neuro)science, technology and philosophy, will be increasingly useful in helping humanity navigate the ethical and existential challenges created by these game-changing innovations and their potential impacts on consequential frontier risks and humanity's futures.”

American Philosophical Association (APA): Navigating (Living) Philosophy:  An Unconventional Journey—My Ode to Transdisciplinary Philosophy (February 2023): “To understand the changes taking place around us, philosophers should acquaint themselves with transdisciplinary frameworks such as Neuro-Techno-Philosophy to get to grips with scientific and technological developments. Transdisciplinarity is a two-way street: these developments help ground philosophers’ pursuit of meaning, just as philosophical reflection enriches the empirical investigation of scientists.”

Recent developments linked to Neuro-Techno-Philosophy and Transdisciplinary Philosophy

In 2023, the Royal Institute of Philosophy launched The Nayef Al-Rodhan International Prize in Transdisciplinary Philosophy, which rewards the most original philosophical research transcending academic disciplines. The annual prize is the first of its kind in the United Kingdom and has attracted submissions from around the world. For more information on the Prize click here.