When we think of wisdom, ancient philosophers, mystics, or spiritual leaders come to mind. For some reason, wisdom is associated with the past. However, some intellectual leaders suggest that we redefine wisdom in the context of the technological development of the future. With the advancement of exponential technologies like virtual reality, big data, artificial intelligence and robotics, people are gaining access to ever more powerful tools. These tools are neither evil nor good in themselves; only human values and decision making affect their application.
When discussing the future, we often place more emphasis on technological progress than on intellectual and moral achievement. In reality, the virtuous ideas of the people of the future will be more influential than their technological tools.
Tom Lombardo and Ray Todd Blackwood take this point of view. In their interdisciplinary work Teaching the Wisdom of the Cyborg of the Future, they proposed a new definition of wisdom that would be more appropriate in the context of the future human.
We are already cyborgs
The main goal of Lombardo and Blackwood's paper is to explore revolutionary educational models that will prepare humans (who will also soon become cyborgs) for the future. The idea of raising such "cyborgs" may seem completely fantastic and incomprehensible. But look around: cyborgs have been around for a long time.
Technophilosophers like Jason Silva point out that our technical gadgets are abstract forms of neurocomputer interfaces. We use smartphones to store and retrieve information, perform calculations and communicate with each other. Our devices extend our minds, expand consciousness and complement it.
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According to the extended mind theory of philosophers Andy Clarke and David Chalmers, we use these technologies to expand the boundaries of our minds. We use tools like machine learning to improve our own cognitive skills or powerful telescopes to improve our visual reach. Gradually, such technologies become part of our exoskeletons, eliminating our biological limitations.
In other words, you are already a cyborg. You have become one for a long time.
This abstract definition of cyborgs both suits us and makes us think. But it won't be abstract for too long. Over the past couple of years, we've seen very significant improvements in both hardware and software for neurocomputer interfaces. Experts are designing ever more complex electrodes, programming ever better algorithms for interpreting neural signals. Scientists have already successfully helped paralyzed patients to type with their thoughts and even allowed people to communicate through brain waves. Futurists like Ray Kurzweil believe that by 2030, we will connect our brain's neurocortex to the cloud using nanobots.
Given these trends, people will become more and more like cyborgs. Schools of the future will not necessarily teach humans, but rather a new species: a hybrid of man and machine.
Education based on wisdom
If we take an abstract or literal definition of cyborg, we need to completely rethink our educational models. Even if you disagree with a scenario in which people integrate powerful brain-computer interfaces directly with their brains, for the current generation to cope with the challenges of the 21st century, they need a new education based on wisdom.
Our modern educational models - which rely on isolated subjects, standardized assessments, and knowledge of content - were designed for the industrial age with the goal of creating efficient factory workers, not empowering critical thinkers, innovators, or wise cyborgs.
Currently, the goal of higher education is to provide students with the degree they need in society and supposedly train them as a workforce. On the contrary, as Lombardo and Blackwood argue, wisdom should be the main goal of higher education. But how can we achieve this? Lombardo has developed a comprehensive two-year program of fundamental education for prospective students who will set themselves precisely the development of wisdom.
What does such an educational model look like? Lombardo and Blackwood break wisdom into distinct traits and abilities, each of which can be developed and measured independently or in combination with others. The authors set out an extensive list of characteristics that can influence our decisions regarding global challenges and the approach of a brilliant future. Among them: big-scale thinking, curiosity, surprise, empathy, self-improvement, love of learning, optimism and courage.
As the authors point out, "given the complex and transforming nature of the world we live in, acquiring wisdom provides a holistic, insightful and ethically sound basis for understanding the world, identifying its critical problems and positive opportunities, and addressing its problems constructively."
After all, many of the problems we face in the everyday world boil down to outdated ways of thinking, be it regressive thinking, superficial value systems, or self-centeredness. Wisdom will protect our society from debilitating disputes; imagine a world in which wisdom would be spread by all members of society, including its leaders.
Wise cyborg
Lombardo and Blackwood invite us to imagine how the wise cyborgs of the future would live their lives. What happens if the powerful human-machine hybrids of tomorrow are also driven by purpose, compassion, ethics?
They will perceive this evolving digital world through the prism of surprise, awe and curiosity. They will use digital information as a problem-solving tool and a source of limitless knowledge. They will use immersive environments like virtual reality to enhance their creative expression and experimentation. They will continue to adapt and thrive in an unpredictable world of rapid change.
Our media often paint a grim future for our species. But it is worth considering another, more positive and very real scenario, in which wise cyborgs rule the world instead of machines.
Ilya Khel