Seite - 133 - in Cyborg Mind - What Brain–Computer and Mind–Cyberspace Interfaces Mean for Cyberneuroethics
Bild der Seite - 133 -
Text der Seite - 133 -
Cyberneuroethics • 133
In this context, and even though some scientists view the concept of con-
sciousness with scepticism, it has recently become a research subject in
psychology and neuroscience where biological, neuronal and psychological
aspects of consciousness are investigated. These studies examine conscious-
ness by asking people to report on their experiences such as: ‘Did you notice
anything when I did that?’ They highlight aspects of subliminal percep-
tion, blind-sight, denial of impairment, the effects of psychoactive drugs and
spiritual or meditative techniques.
Consciousness is further studied in medicine by examining a patient’s
response to stimuli according to a scale encompassing full alertness and
comprehension to disorientation, delirium, loss of movement and loss of
meaningful communication.140 But practical issues arise when considering
the consciousness of severely ill, comatose or even anesthetised patients, as
well as the manner in which conditions associated with impaired conscious-
ness should be treated.141
In this regard, a number of characteristics have been proposed as being
necessary for the concept of consciousness to be experienced in a person,
namely:
– A state of awareness of being awake: a person needs to be aroused, alert or
vigilant and needs to be aware that he or she exists.
– Experience and attention: a person needs to be able to experience one
moment leading to another.
– Having a sense of volition supported by a mind: this includes free will,
beliefs, fears, hopes, intentions, expectations and desires.142
Neuroscientists have also investigated the perceptions inside the brain of the
conscious individual. In this way, Greenfield suggested that an appropriate
theory of the way in which physical brains may trigger certain subjective
experiences would need to include the following questions:
– Can the theory describe how consciousness relates to the body as the
boundary of self? In other words, if consciousness is generated in the
brain, a credible theory should be able to account for the way in which
individuals experience their bodies as the boundaries of themselves. This
is important in a far more networked society where the dangers of feeling
part of a greater collective, which breaches the limits of a person’s sense of
individuality, may exist.143
– Can the theory explain how different neuronal applications, such as drugs,
may produce different states of consciousness?144
– How can the theory be verified? As yet, there are no objective ways of
assessing the transcendent component of consciousness. Indeed, it is very
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.
zurück zum
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