The Ethics of Mind Uploading: Managing Consciousness in a Digital Age

Published: June 14, 2024
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Abstract

This research paper investigates the ethical and philosophical complexities surrounding mind uploading, the hypothetical transfer of human consciousness to a non-biological substrate like a computer simulation. The paper explores the concept of consciousness, drawing on theories from cognitive science and philosophy of mind. It examines integrated information theory and global workspace theory as potential frameworks for understanding the neural correlates of consciousness. Technical aspects of mind uploading are then addressed, including brain scanning and emulation methods. Challenges such as preserving qualia, the subjective experience of sensory data, in a digital format are discussed. The limitations of current computational resources and the need for advanced artificial neural networks to achieve high-fidelity brain simulations are explored. The core of the research focuses on the ethical considerations of mind uploading. Questions of identity, free will, and the nature of selfhood in a digital state are analysed. The paper explores potential existential anxieties and the need for robust ethical frameworks to guide the development and implementation of this technology. Furthermore, the research addresses the legal status of a digital consciousness. Can a digital mind possess the same rights and protections as a biological one? Potential legal frameworks for ensuring the well-being and autonomy of uploaded minds are explored. The paper also considers the societal implications of mind uploading. Issues of accessibility, digital inequality, and the potential for social stratification in a world where some can transcend biological limitations are addressed. Additionally, the research explores the potential benefits, such as extending human lifespan and enhancing cognitive abilities. Finally, the research concludes by proposing a roadmap for the responsible development of mind uploading technologies. This roadmap emphasizes international collaboration, robust ethical guidelines, and ongoing public discourse to ensure that mind uploading benefits humanity.

Published in Abstract Book of the GLOBAL CONFLUENCE OF MANAGEMENT HORIZONS
Page(s) 37-37
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access abstract, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Mind Uploading, Consciousness, Ethical Considerations, Brain Emulation, Legal Frameworks