Seite - 19 - in Cyborg Mind - What Brain–Computer and Mind–Cyberspace Interfaces Mean for Cyberneuroethics

Why Use the Term ‘Cyberneuroethics’? • 19 answered and developed. This is indeed one of the challenges of examining an ever-changing and expanding technology. A significant number of cyberneuroethical issues will also reflect the manner in which a person’s mind may integrate the information available in cyberspace and the way in which a person may be immersed in, and absorbed by, virtual reality. This is a reality that can be defined as immersive multime- dia or computer-simulated sensory experiences, such as sight and hearing, and replicates an environment that simulates a physical presence in the real or imaginary world while letting the user interact in that world. Virtual real- ity can also characterise the ‘place’ where the cybernetic principle of a con- tinuous organising and reconfiguration of information is present. In other words, it represents a fluid realm where boundaries and new possibilities may be changing all the time.37 With the development of cyberspace and a growing number of human beings deciding to spend an increasing amount of time in this virtual set- ting, many new opportunities and powerful experiences will be available to individuals. Being in virtual reality may then become more satisfying and rewarding for many individuals than genuine reality and could even become a preferable venue for them in which to construct and develop their identity. However, in this cyberspace, the nature of moral agency and conduct may need to be redefined since it is possible to enquire whether common principles, values and rules are different between real and virtual reali- ties or even between different virtual realities. It is thus possible to ask, as does the American ethicist Brent Waters, whether ‘moral principles, values and rules make much sense within a realm of temporary borders and fluid boundaries?’38 What may eventually be considered ethical by examining what can be considered as good or bad behaviour in this virtual world existing in cyber- space is one of the main aspects of cyberneuroethics. But this implies that a person is able to make a choice between right and wrong, which requires a level of self-awareness, meaning that he or she has a mind supported by a brain or some other physical support. It follows that cyberneuroethics will have to take account of the external effects that may influence the mind and brain of a person and how both of these interact when a person is seeking an experience in cyberspace. The Terminology Being Used In the context of the ethical debate relating to neuronal interfaces, many dis- cussions note the difficulty of establishing clear borders between paired terms such as ‘healing’ and ‘enhancement’ or ‘ability’ and ‘disability’.39 Some even 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.