Towards the Alter-Person: A Species-neutral Definition of Personhood Through Design

Abstract

This thesis seeks to investigate the essence of anthropocentric frameworks, explore and challenge humans’ perceptions of nonhuman forms of intelligence through symbolic, expedient, or advocatory representations, and study the effects in understanding nonhuman personhood and ethical frameworks these perceptions have. As a better understanding of the connection between exposure to and awareness of nonhuman persons is gathered, it aims to adjust existing paradigms and potentially introduce new ones in hopes of creating design approaches that are species-neutral. This thesis ultimately intends to explore ways to modify the behaviors and viewpoints of humans’ towards nonhumans and bring forth a broader acknowledgment of natural and synthetic interdependence through design. The issues of empathy towards nonhumans, nonhuman rights, and design for nonhumans are also of interest to the scope of this thesis.

Presenters

Zeynep Kiris
Student, MFA in Communications Design, Pratt Institute, New York, United States

Details

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

Theme

2021 Special Focus: Towards a (Design) New Deal

KEYWORDS

NONHUMAN, ANTHROPOCENTRIC, PERSONHOOD, PERCEPTION, REPRESENTATION, EMPATHY, INCLUSIVE, DESIGN, MORALITY, ETHICS

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