Virtuality and Humanity

Prof. Sam Lehman-Wilzig was born in New York City where he studied at CCNY (B.A. Political Science, 1971, summa cum laude), and then in Harvard University where he completed his PhD in 1976 (School of Government). He taught (1977-2010) at the Dept. of Political Studies, Bar-Ilan University (BIU) Israel, and in BIU's recently established School of Communication (2010-2017). He also taught during sabbatical years at San Diego State University (1989-90); Brown University (2008-09); and the University of Maryland, College Park (2013). Prof. Lehman-Wilzig also served in the following capacities: Head of BIU’s Division of Journalism & Mass Communication Studies (1991-1996); Chairman of the Israel Political Science Association (1997-1999); Founder of BIU’s Communications Program within the Dept. of Political Studies (1994-2007); Chairman of the Political Studies Department (2004-2007); Chairman of BIU's School of Communication (2014-2016). His fields of expertise are: New Media & Communications; Technology & Society; and Political Communication. In these fields, he has published 40 academic articles (among them, the first ever study of Artificial Intelligence and Law), 22 book chapters, and two academic books in English, plus a popular textbook: Handbook of Mass Communications (in Hebrew; 1994). Prof. Lehman-Wilzig has presented over 70 papers at international academic and university conferences, also appearing at numerous speaking venues such as weekend Scholar-in-Residence, public lectures on current events, and media appearances (newspaper, radio and TV). For more details, see: www.ProfSLW.com

Introduction.- Defining Virtuality.- Virtuality and/in the Brain.- Religion & the Supernatural.- Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics & Cosmology.- Music, Literature & the Arts.- Economics.- Community & Nationhood, Government, War.- Communication To/With/By the Masses.- Virtuality's Expansion in the Modern Era: Media and Society.