Seite - 160 - in Cyborg Mind - What Brain–Computer and Mind–Cyberspace Interfaces Mean for Cyberneuroethics
Bild der Seite - 160 -
Text der Seite - 160 -
160 • Cyborg Mind
Similarly, it is difficult to say whether or not persons are human if they are
conscious inside a computer. They may certainly be persons with a conscious-
ness but may not be categorised as human persons. Their bodies would be
computers, but would their minds be similar to those of human beings? It
would also be difficult to state, with any certainty, whether such computer
persons are alive.
Another possibility is to just consider the new being as a nonhuman
person if it is able to think like a human being. But, of course, this comes
back to asking how it is possible to know whether a computer has become
conscious, especially since, as already indicated, it is very difficult to even
quantify consciousness.251
It is also important to ask whether the value that is accorded to human
bodies, including the human brain, may be diminished with such tech-
nology. This raises the question whether the human brain can simply be
compared to a machine that has little value in comparison to the mind of a
person – a mind that could also exist inside a computer hard disk.
In short, whilst there is much to celebrate in terms of advances made in
the field of science and technology, it is becoming increasingly apparent,
particularly in the field of neurotechnology, that human bodies and brains
are quickly becoming projects to master, take control over, design and fuse
according to humanity’s own desires. Therefore, it is crucial to consider how
far such neuronal interfaces can challenge and impact concepts of human
integrity and dignity.
The Transhuman and Posthuman Body
It is now possible to envisage a future in which parts of the human body are
substantially replaced or upgraded by machines (generally defined as transhu-
manism) or where the body no longer even resembles, in any way, that of a
human person (generally defined as posthumanism).
This of course will have significant repercussions on biological or
physical anthropology and may even completely transform the whole
discipline.
Transhumanism
The proposal that humanity should use technology to go beyond the restric-
tions of the present human body, including the brain, was described as ‘trans-
humanism’ by the British biologist Julian Huxley (1887–1975), who was the
brother of Aldous Huxley (1894–1963), the author of the 1932 book Brave
New World.252 He used the term for the title of an influential 1957 article,
though the word itself derives from an earlier 1940 paper by the Canadian
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