Page - 15 - in Cyborg Mind - What Brain–Computer and Mind–Cyberspace Interfaces Mean for Cyberneuroethics

Why Use the Term ‘Cyberneuroethics’? • 15 The ‘Neuro’ Prefix The prefix ‘neuro’ originates from the Greek for neuron or nerve, which is related to the Latin nervus and has become popular in the last few decades to reflect something related to the brain and the nervous system. For example, the neurosciences form a multidisciplinary umbrella group in which each part unpacks some aspect of the way in which the brain and nerves operate. These include physical and biological sciences, behavioural and social sciences, clin- ical research, engineering and computer science, as well as mathematics and statistics.21 In other words, the neurosciences examine aspects such as neurol- ogy, neurosurgery and neuro-oncology, with all the disorders relating to areas of the nervous system fitting under the frame of neuropathology. But the ‘neuro’ prefix can also be used to express the manner in which the brain is sometimes used to understand other disciplines or ideas. This is why modern neurosciences are beginning to study the manner in which humans: – use language and imagination to influence perceptions of time and space; – perceive themselves and others; – relate to other nonhuman living beings and to the natural environment; – create from different historical, cultural, political, legal, economic and technical perspectives; – acquire knowledge about themselves and the world; and – produce and exchange things.22 From this perspective, neuronal modifications can be used for at least three purposes:23 – To maintain or improve mental health and cognitive function within typi- cal or statistical norms. – To address and treat disorders in order to achieve or restore typical or sta- tistically normal functioning. – To enhance function above typical or statistically normal ranges. However, the neurosciences cannot answer on their own the significant ethi- cal and anthropological questions that are important to society, such as what it means to be a morally responsible or free human being. But they can pro- vide evidence for further reflection while supporting a better understanding of the functioning human brain, which may steer society’s consideration of these questions.24 More recently, the prefix ‘neuro’ has also been added somewhat loosely to other terms that are not always easy to define, such as neuro-management,25 neuro-fuzzy26 and neuro-web design.27 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.