Autonomy and dependence in the relationship man-machine

Abstract

The paper approaches the circular relationship of human development in parallel with technologies. The motor, anatomical and cognitive functions were perfected and adapted according to the use of the utensils that were being created, in such a way that life in the city would be practically unfeasible without the use of the various manufactured devices. Over time, this context has made the human brain to acquire specific functions that relate with technology, establishing in this way the paradox of autonomy and dependence between humans and machines. The search for the expansion of physical and mental capacities has transformed man into a hybrid being and has built a virtual city that blends with the physical city. Faced with these reflections, some questions emerge: Would the tools, machines and technologies be mere extensions of the human body or would these devices become protagonists of a system capable of self-organizing, assuming a self-poetic role? Is this the case of the Internet that self-produces without a central command? Are we autonomous beings or dependent on the various existing tools? Can machines be considered intelligent? Can the concept of autopoiesis be applied to machines? Between men and machines happens the phenomenon called coevolution? Could we live without the existence of machines? These questions will be examined in the light of the authors: Charles S. Peirce, Lúcia Santaella, Winfried Nöth, Andy Clark, Edgar Morin, Humberto Maturana and Francisco Varela, among others, who dialogue with the references of artificial intelligence, reasoning, interpretation, control, self-control and autopoiesis.