De Hominis Dignitate : from human dignity to the domain of AI, a topical reflection
Digital Humanism: introduction
Renaissance humanism, represented by figures such as Pico della Mirandola, left a lasting legacy that continues to influence modern culture and society. In this article, we will explore how Pico’s reflections on human dignity in ‘De hominis dignitate’ relate to the current challenges posed by the fourth industrial revolution and the growing importance of artificial intelligence in everyday life. Through an analysis of Pico’s text and an examination of contemporary issues related to technology and AI, we will discuss how Renaissance thought can help us understand and address current challenges.
De hominis dignitate
De hominis dignitate’ is a work written in 1486 by Pico della Mirandola, an Italian Renaissance humanist. The text is a meditation on human nature and the dignity of man. Pico argues that man is a unique and special being in the universe, as he has the ability to understand the world and shape it according to his own will. Furthermore, man is free to choose his own nature and destiny.
Below are some commented extracts from ‘De hominis dignitate’ by Pico della Mirandola:
- “You, O man, who have come into the world for a short time, you have been placed at the centre of the cosmos and at the centre of creation, as at a crossroads of all beings, so that you may contemplate and taste, how much is inferior, how much superior, how much equal to you.” This passage emphasises man’s centrality in the universe and his unique ability to understand and appreciate the world around him.
- “You have been constituted not only in the image and likeness of the being who created you, but also in the likeness of his will, for you have power to will yourself to conform to the different species of beings.” This passage emphasises man’s freedom to shape himself and his own destiny, as well as his ability to understand and conform to different forms of life.
- “You are not necessarily what you are, but you can become what you want.” This passage emphasises the flexibility and freedom of human nature, as well as the idea that man has the power to determine his own destiny.
AI has become an increasingly important element in the management, processing and analysis of this data, but there are concerns about the impact on privacy, freedom of expression and control of information. In addition, AI is changing the way we work and live, and there are ethical questions about whether AI could threaten the unique place of humans and their role in society.
These extracts show how Pico della Mirandola emphasises the centrality and freedom of man in the universe, and how man has the unique ability to understand and shape the world around him. These ideas represent a unique perspective on human nature and human dignity that continues to be relevant and meaningful in today’s society.
The infosphere
The fourth industrial revolution, characterised by the spread of artificial intelligence and information technology, is currently changing the nature of work and social relationships. AI is becoming increasingly present in everyday life, from work activities to personal relationships, and is having a significant impact on society.
Furthermore, the Infosphere is the global environment consisting of all information and the communication networks that convey it, which becomes a new space in which social, political and economic actors act, and in which the decisive games for power and knowledge are played.
Today’s infosphere is characterised by an increasing amount of data and information, which are available and accessible globally through communication networks.
The past telling us about the future
There is a relationship between Pico’s concept of human dignity and the current situation dominated by technology and AI. Technology and AI offer us new opportunities to shape the world and our destiny, but at the same time they raise questions about human nature and our dignity. For example, there is concern about the possibility that AI and technology may threaten our unique and special place in the universe, or that they may make humans increasingly dependent on machines.
Furthermore, the infosphere, through the availability of vast amounts of data and information, represents a great opportunity for humans, but if not managed properly it can lead to the spread of false information and loss of privacy, thus threatening human dignity. The current challenge therefore is to use technology and AI responsibly, ensuring that they are used for the good of humans and not to their detriment.
This requires critical reflection on human nature and human dignity, as proposed by Pico della Mirandola. Furthermore, it is important to develop appropriate laws and regulations to regulate the use of AI and information technology in order to protect privacy and human dignity. In this sense, it is possible to see a continuity between Pico della Mirandola’s thought and current issues related to technology and AI.
Some concrete examples of how technology can be used in accordance with the dictates and suggestions of Pico della Mirandola’s ‘De hominis dignitate’ could be:
- The use of AI and information technology to improve the quality of human life, e.g. through the creation of systems for advanced medical diagnostics, assistance to the elderly, and the creation of barrier-breaking technologies.
- Respect for privacy and freedom of expression, through the creation of laws and regulations to govern the use of AI and information technology, in order to protect fundamental human rights.
- The promotion of education and training of individuals, through the use of AI and information technology to provide quality education accessible to all, and to help individuals understand and use technology responsibly.
- The promotion of ethics and responsibility in the development and use of AI, through the creation of an AI ethic that focuses on promoting human well-being and reducing risks to society.
- The promotion of greater inclusion and equality in access to technological opportunities.
In conclusion
All these ideas show how the use of technology can be guided by the principles of human dignity and freedom proposed by Pico della Mirandola, and how technology can be used to promote human welfare and social progress.
In conclusion, Pico della Mirandola’s thought represents an enduring legacy that continues to influence modern culture and society. His ‘De hominis dignitate’ offers us a unique perspective on human nature and human dignity that is still relevant and meaningful in today’s society. We have seen how the use of technology and AI can be guided by the principles of human dignity and freedom proposed by Pico della Mirandola in his De hominis dignitate, and how technology can be used to promote human well-being and social progress.
School
In this context, the school has a fundamental role in educating the new generations in the conscious and responsible use of technology and AI, because it can ensure that these technologies are used for the good of man and not to his detriment.
The renaissance of a school that includes modern educational content and makes students appreciate the centrality of the individual is crucial to ensuring a future in which technology and AI are used responsibly to promote human well-being and social progress. Classical culture and the humanistic thought of figures such as Pico della Mirandola can offer an important perspective on these issues and provide a solid basis for a critical and informed education.
In short, in order to build a fair and sustainable future, it is important for education to provide a global perspective and critical thinking that values the centrality of the individual, because only in this way can we ensure that man, not technology, is at the centre of the choices that affect us.
