Human Exceptionalism | Discovery Institute

Center on Human Exceptionalism

The mission of Discovery Institute’s Center on Human Exceptionalism is to affirm and uphold the intrinsic nature of human dignity, liberty, and equality. In resistance to a growing movement against unique human personhood, we aim to revitalize a commitment to the traditional Western view of human rights and human responsibilities — summed up by the term “human exceptionalism.” Read more

Humanize

Robert J. Marks II and Zoltan Istvan on the Promise — or Threat — of Artificial Intelligence

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May 6, 2024
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In this episode of Humanize, Wesley focuses on AI — artificial intelligence. Are we on the verge of an era if incalculable human progress because of the power of AI? Or are we threatened with being made obsolete and perhaps extinguished in an age of intelligent machines? Or, perhaps, a combination of both? The program features two experts who have different perspectives on these issues. Dr. Robert J Marks II is an AI enthusiast. An electrical engineer, Marks is the Distinguished Professor of Engineering in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Baylor University. His research supporters include NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the National Institutes of Health, the Army Research Lab, and the Office of Naval Research. He has consulted for Microsoft, and …

Again with the ‘Plants Are Intelligent’ Nonsense: Wesley J. Smith; May 6, 2024; 5

Bioethicists Want to Rule the World!: Wesley J. Smith; April 29, 2024; 4

The Biden Department of Education Seems to Hate Women and Girls: Wesley J. Smith; April 25, 2024; 5

Wesley J. Smith Makes the Case Against Assisted Suicide on Chicago’s Morning Answer: Wesley J. Smith; April 23, 2024; 1

Thomas Linzey on the Nature Rights Movement: Thomas Linzey; April 22, 2024; 2

More posts ….

Podcast

Robert J. Marks II and Zoltan Istvan on the Promise — or Threat — of Artificial Intelligence

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Wesley J. Smith
May 6, 2024}

Thomas Linzey on the Nature Rights Movement

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Wesley J. Smith
April 22, 2024}

Most people support responsible environmental policies but may be unaware of how radical the leading edge of the movement has become as an increasing number of activists support granting personhood rights to nature. Is nature rights a subversive threat to human exceptionalism and our thriving or is it the next necessary step in society’s moral growth and key to preventing a catastrophic environmental collapse as its adherents claim? Let’s find out. Wesley’s guest is one of the primary founders of the nature rights approach. Thomas Alan Linzey, serves as Senior Legal Counsel for the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights, an organization committed to globally advancing the legal rights of nature and environmental rights. He is the co-founder of the Community …

Mark Davis Pickup on Living with Intense Suffering and Experiencing a Miraculous Healing

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Wesley J. Smith
April 8, 2024}

We live in a time in which eliminating suffering is considered by many to be society’s ultimate purpose. Too often, this leads to policies that eliminate suffering by eliminating the sufferer. Still, for those not experiencing intense pain or anguish, arguing for improved care instead of increased access to assisted suicide or euthanasia can seem like a blithe platitude. “If you were really suffering,” I have heard repeatedly in my more than thirty years involved with these issues, “you would sing a different tune.” Perhaps. But many people who suffer intensely sing from the same songbook. One, is my good friend and guest for this episode of Humanize, Mark Pickup. Pickup has experienced the intense terror and anguish caused by disabling and progressive multiple sclerosis …