Keio University X Dignity Center

Transcending Boundaries of Knowledge

In contemporary society, once seemingly self-evident boundaries—between self and other, human and machine, virtual and real, people and animals, and the binary distinctions between male and female—are steadily dissolving and undergoing critical reassessment. Under the pervasive influence of social media, human cognition is increasingly shaped by heteronomous forces, where thought and perception are governed by external imperatives rather than the autonomous will of the individual. These transformations compel us to reconsider, at a fundamental level, the notions of subjectivity, responsibility, rights, liberty, and democracy that have long underpinned our legal and political frameworks.

Globally, the economic influences of multinational corporations, particularly in the information technology sector, have become intricately interwoven across national borders. Simultaneously, interpersonal interactions across cultural and geographical boundaries are proliferating. However, this deepening of interconnectedness has yielded something far from global stability. We are witnessing the emergence of crises and conflicts that elude resolution within the conventional framework of sovereign nation-states. Acts of warfare that transgress borders and violate territorial integrity continue to intensify in many regions, culminating in the loss of innocent lives whose fates fall into the interstices of state borders.

To achieve a sustainable and inclusive society that embraces diverse values and earnestly strives to ensure the flourishing of future generations, we must confront pressing global political and environmental challenges with a renewed understanding of what it means to be human. At the heart of this reconsideration lies the most valuable concept—“dignity.”

Yukichi Fukuzawa (1835–1901), the founder of Keio University, articulated the philosophy of “independence and self-respect” as the cornerstone of academic education at the dawn of modern Japan. This principle calls for the cultivation of one’s independence and dignity while equally affirming respect for the existence and perspectives of others. Fukuzawa maintained that, guided by this spirit, it was humanity’s responsibility to cultivate virtue, disseminate wisdom, and build relationships across diverse communities.

Today we find ourselves in an era dominated by the “attention economy,” which has emerged as the prevailing business model in the digital information sphere. Within this framework, individual interests and time are commodified and traded. The deployment of AI and algorithms has transformed the online environment into an advertising space that resembles behavioral experimentation, driven by “stimuli (recommendations)” and “reflex (clicks),” relentlessly urging users toward reactive engagement. In such a society, we are compelled to ask, have we truly realized technology that upholds human dignity?

Recent years have witnessed remarkable advances in neuroscience, particularly in the development of Brain-Machine Interfaces (BMIs), which enable direct connections between the brain and external devices. BMIs designed to compensate for lost physical and cognitive functions, whether through avatars, robotic agents, or AI-driven systems that reconfigure neural networks for functional recovery, have moved beyond the realm of experimentation into practical application. These innovations are reshaping not only our scientific and technological frontiers but also our conception of what it means to be human.

Yet, alongside the immense potential of these transformations, there arises an urgent need for critical ethical inquiries. To what extent should science and technology be allowed to intervene in the innermost realms of human existence—the brain, the mind, and consciousness? How far can we transform thought and consciousness into machinic processes without compromising the sanctity of the self and while guarding against the profound risks of external manipulation or the potential “hacking” of the self? As we navigate this emerging landscape, we must remain vigilant against the risks of external manipulation and re-examine human dignity.

Presently, we must resist the uncritical assertion that human dignity is a privileged singularity. Whether viewed through ecological frameworks that urge harmonious coexistence with non-human life forms or through the lens of our increasing intertwinement with artificial intelligence, the concept of dignity is in urgent need of re-evaluation. In this age of convergence of disciplines, species, and intelligences, we are summoned to a revolution in thinking—one that seeks to locate a point of equilibrium within these complex interdependencies and to redefine the contours of “dignity” for the 21st century.

Dynamic Knowledge Network for Academic Beings

With a keen awareness of the urgent challenges outlined above, the Keio University X Dignity Center seeks to establish itself as a major interdisciplinary hub for the exploration and dissemination of ethical values pertaining to dignity in the 21st century. The “X” in the center’s name symbolizes its core mission: to cross and connect disciplinary, cultural, and institutional boundaries. By actively promoting multifaceted collaborations across diverse academic fields, the center aims to foster original thinking and catalyze global intellectual engagement.

To realize these objectives, the center envisages creating a new salon-like environment where scholars rooted in Eastern and Western philosophical traditions can engage in meaningful dialogue with cutting-edge scientists. In transcending the long-standing divide between the sciences, we aim to facilitate a space for experimentation and intellectual cross-pollination, where social scientists in law, economics, politics, and management will collaborate with engineers and technologists to explore the future of democracy, drawing on innovations in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and architectural practice. The center will also adopt a dynamic structure of evolving research networks. As part of its collaborative model, it plans to partner with the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), alongside international institutions that share its vision and ethos.

The center’s mission extends beyond the traditional limits of universities. The “X” in the name further symbolizes intersections among academia, industry, and the broader public sphere. With this in mind, the Keio University X Dignity Center aspires to foster a society-wide “academic chain”—a continuum of knowledge rooted in academic theory and practice yet actively engaged with the citizens. Ultimately, the center is committed to fostering a balanced and inclusive development of all forms of life—human, non-human, and machinic. By embracing the latest scientific and technological advances, the center seeks to contribute to the co-creation of a better future. The X Dignity Center will be a gathering place for “academic beings”—those who uphold the pursuit of truth and the practical impact of scholarship—offering an open space for dialogue and collaboration across differences in profession, age, or gender.