In the image of the image?: from image dei to imaging the human in the robotic gaze

Abstract

In this paper, I wish to conceive of an alternative way that we can explore our technoscientific culture, one that more readily acknowledges our amalgamation within that culture, rather than placing ourselves above or beyond it. Taking the robot's gaze as both metaphor and more literally, I explore how seeing ourselves mediated by technology as an image may be a useful endeavour in highlighting our hybridity. Framing this discussion is a consideration of the image in theological terms, which is a significant undertaking, given that the human is made in the image of God, the robot in the image of the human, and yet, in the robot's gaze, we are imaged by the robot. Is it possible to reconcile these interpretations?