Augmented Humanity: A Vision of Enhanced Wisdom and Virtue

ChatGPT is great for writing first drafts. Here’s the outline of a sermon it suggests for delivery in March following How Would You Like to Be Augmented?

Here’s the prompt I gave ChatGPT:

I'd like the ability to totally reconfigure and upgrade my neural operating system, accelerating evolution by expanding the authority and command of the executive functions that reside in my prefrontal cortex and shrinking the influence of the fearful and anxiety-ridden amygdala. I want to vastly expand both working and long-term memory. Help me become more machine-like -- that is, reliable -- in my ability to focus on tasks I wish to perform and goals I aspire to achieve. Enable me to unfailingly incorporate in all that I do and think the Stoic virtues of wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance (or moderation). Equip me also with the ability to reason, write, and sermonize with the authority and dynamism of Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Here’s ChatGPT’s Response:

Your sermon topic, inspired by Bob Johansen's prompt, touches on profound themes that blend the realms of spirituality, human augmentation, and technology. Here's a collaborative approach to structure and develop your sermon, integrating your thoughts and aspirations:

Sermon Title: "Augmented Humanity: A Vision of Enhanced Wisdom and Virtue"

Introduction

  • Opening: Address the congregation with a warm welcome, setting the tone for an introspective journey.

  • Context Setting: Introduce Bob Johansen's prompt and its relevance to today's rapidly evolving technological landscape.

  • Personal Connection: Share your desire for neural augmentation as a Unitarian Universalist, linking it to your interest in AI and the brain/machine interface.

Section 1: The Vision of Augmented Intelligence

  • Redefining Augmentation: Discuss the concept of human augmentation, not just in physical terms but as a profound enhancement of cognitive and emotional capacities.

  • Prefrontal Cortex and Executive Function: Explain how expanding the prefrontal cortex's capabilities could lead to better decision-making, problem-solving, and emotional regulation.

  • Reducing the Amygdala's Influence: Talk about the amygdala’s role in fear and anxiety, and how its diminished influence could lead to a more rational and less reactionary existence.

Section 2: The Expansion of Memory and Virtue

  • Enhanced Memory: Dive into the benefits of expanded working and long-term memory, such as greater knowledge retention and recall.

  • Living the Stoic Virtues: Elaborate on the four Stoic virtues (wisdom, courage, justice, moderation) and how neural augmentation could help in continually embodying these virtues.

Section 3: The Machine-Like Focus and Stoic Mindset

  • Reliable Focus: Discuss the desire to become more machine-like in focus, balancing human creativity with the reliability of a machine.

  • Incorporating Stoic Virtues: Reflect on how consistently applying Stoic principles can lead to a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Section 4: Emulating Emerson's Dynamism

  • Ralph Waldo Emerson's Influence: Highlight Emerson's contributions to thought and literature, and your aspiration to sermonize with similar authority and dynamism.

  • Integrating Emerson’s Style: Share specific aspects of Emerson's writing and speaking style that you wish to emulate in your sermons and writings.

Conclusion

  • Synthesis: Bring together the themes of technological augmentation and spiritual virtues, highlighting their potential synergy.

  • Personal Reflection: Share your thoughts on how these enhancements could impact your life, work, and spiritual journey.

  • Closing Thoughts: End with an open-ended question or thought that encourages the congregation to reflect on their own views of augmentation and virtue.

Post-Sermon Activities

  • Discussion Groups: Encourage congregation members to form small groups to discuss their thoughts on the sermon.

  • Further Reading/Resources: Provide a list of resources for those interested in exploring these themes further, including your works on AIandtheHuman.org.

This structure aims to encapsulate your vision and aspirations, creating a sermon that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. Feel free to adapt and expand on these ideas to align with your style and the needs of your congregation.