As a reminder, this term we are exploring the concept of mind uploading: the idea that someday we will be able to transfer the entirety of the information in our brains (our thoughts, memories, experiences, skill sets) into an external device, essentially creating a digital "copy" of ourselves.   In particular, we are considering the potential ethical and existential questions that such a technological innovation would raise, especially related to the rights and responsibilities associated with the disembodied mind. 

This Small Group Discussion is the first of three that you will have about disembodied rights and responsibilities this term.  For each of these discussions, I will provide a set of specific questions for you to consider with your group.  I would like you to imagine that mind uploading technology already exists and has raised a number of urgent issues.  You are serving on a technoethics committee that will provide recommendations related to the following areas: 

 

Ownership: Who can own the disembodied mind?  Can a human being sell part or all of a disembodied mind? Should there be a limit as to how many copies one human being can make of their mind?  If so, what should that limit be and why?  

Information Management:  Once created, can the disembodied mind be deleted?  Who should be responsible for sustaining and/or managing the disembodied mind’s existence in the long-term (i.e. paying any fees that may be associated with its existence and upkeep such as maintaining servers, electrical bills, software updates, etc)?  Does the disembodied mind have the right to exist indefinitely?   Should there be related social programs for the disembodied community (i.e. forms of care for the disembodied after their human counterpart is no longer living)?    Should the disembodied mind have a right to privacy?