University at Buffalo (UB)
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Romanell Center Fall 2020 Speaker Series
The Impossibility of Digital Immortality
October 14, 2020 (live virtual lecture)
The Romanell Center for Clinical Ethics and the Philosophy of Medicine is pleased to announce the Fall 2020 Speaker Series is being delivered in the virtual format of Zoom. On October 14, Barry Smith delivered the first talk, “The Impossibility of Digital Immortality.” A recording of Smith's presentation is here.
About the Speaker
As an undergraduate, Barry Smith studied mathematics and philosophy at the University of Oxford, before earning his Ph.D. from the University of Manchester in 1976. Currently, he holds the position of Julian Park Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Adjunct Professor of Biomedical Informatics, Computer Science, and Neurology at the University of Buffalo in New York.
As evidenced from his professorial titles, Smith occupies both the role of philosopher and scientist, blending the two areas of study through his dual focus on ontology and biomedical informatics. Smith has published articles in as many scientific publications as he has in philosophical publications, and his approach can be roughly described as applied ontology.
Smith’s influence is notable outside of academia, such as his involvement with global health organizations in advancing biomedical informatics, and even with the U.S. Army and Air Force.