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Introduction • 3
‘hardwired’ and ‘programmed’ to make certain decisions? In this regard,
American neuroscientist James Giordano explains that these questions will
quickly become more challenging and compelling when more integrated
neuronal interfaces become possible, adding: ‘But the time from first steps to
leaps and bounds is becoming ever shorter, and the possibilities raised by the
pace and breadth of this stride are exciting, and, I’d pose, equally laden with a
host of concerns. It will be interesting to be part of this evolution.’2
Because of this, and although the consequences of neuronal interface
technologies on society remain uncertain, a number of questions can already
be presented on ethical, legal, political, economic, philosophical, moral and
religious grounds. For instance, it will be possible to ask the following
questions:
– Do neuronal interface systems belong to reality or fiction?
– Will a permanent link to vast amounts of information be beneficial or
detrimental?
– Where does rehabilitation stop and performance enhancement begin?
– What are the risks relating to neuronal interfaces?
– When do invasive implants become justifiable?
– Can all the legal consequences from the use of such interfaces be antici-
pated and addressed?
– Can interfaces significantly change the very identity and personality of an
individual?
– Could they be used to take away suffering?
– Will neuronal interfaces eventually lead to a redefinition of humanity?3
This book necessarily operates in a difficult territory since ethical consider-
ations are intrinsically associated with what it means to be human and how
society understands this concept of humanity – a task that has eluded most
thinkers over the millennia.
Moreover, it is necessary to seek to better understand the concept of
human identity in the context of the human person. This is because adding
new capabilities to a person’s mind by installing technology may well change
his or her sense of self.
A person’s perception of the benefit of a technology may, in addition, be
affected by whether he or she remains in control or whether control is given
over to something or someone else. In this regard, having a powerful system
interfacing directly into a human brain may be too limited to be of concern,
but may also enable possible external powers to have direct and abusive access
to the inner being of a person.
It is indeed recognised that any form of new technology can affect the
current dynamics of power. As the British technology commentator Guy
This open access edition has been made available under a CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license thanks to the support of Knowledge Unlatched. Not for resale.
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Buch Cyborg Mind - What Brain–Computer and Mind–Cyberspace Interfaces Mean for Cyberneuroethics"
Cyborg Mind
What Brain–Computer and Mind–Cyberspace Interfaces Mean for Cyberneuroethics
- Titel
- Cyborg Mind
- Untertitel
- What Brain–Computer and Mind–Cyberspace Interfaces Mean for Cyberneuroethics
- Autor
- Calum MacKellar
- Verlag
- Berghahn Books
- Datum
- 2019
- Sprache
- englisch
- Lizenz
- CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
- ISBN
- 978-1-78920-015-7
- Abmessungen
- 15.2 x 22.9 cm
- Seiten
- 264
- Schlagwörter
- Singularity, Transhumanism, Body modification, Bioethics
- Kategorie
- Technik
Inhaltsverzeichnis
- Chapter 1. Why Use the Term ‘Cyberneuroethics’? 9
- Chapter 2. Popular Understanding of Neuronal Interfaces 25
- Chapter 3. Presentation of the Brain–Mind Interface 31
- Chapter 4. Neuronal Interface Systems 43
- Developments in Information Technology 44
- Developments in Understanding the Brain 45
- Developments in Neuronal Interfaces 46
- Procedures Involved in Neuronal Interfaces 47
- Output Neuronal Interface Systems: Reading the Brain and Mind 49
- Input Neuronal Interface Systems: Changing the Brain and Mind 57
- Feedback Systems of the Brain and Mind 67
- Ethical Issues Relating to the Technology of Neuronal Interfaces 84
- Chapter 5. Cyberneuroethics 99
- Chapter 6. Neuronal Interfaces and Policy 217
- New Cybercrimes 218
- Policy Concerns 223
- Conclusion 229
- Human Autonomy 232
- Resistance to Such a Development 234
- Risks of Neuronal Interfaces 234
- Appendix. Scottish Council on Human Bioethics Recommendations on
- Cyberneuroethics 239
- Glossary 244
- Index 251