Cyborgs are truly a fundamental phenomenon in philosophical discussions.
Cyborgs are gradually working their way into our lives. The general representation of a cyborg is that seen in science fiction films of a fusion between man and machine. A direct interface between the brain and the Internet, like the brain-machine interface (BMI) described in the science fiction manga Ghost in the Shell, has been successfully tested in laboratory experiments. That extreme level of man-machine fusion aside, people’s lives would already be compromised by not having a mobile phone or smartphone, and in some cases, when we think about those who lead a life that is dependent on such devices, we can see that the fusion between man and machine is underway with a momentum that supersedes the pros and cons.
However, the fusion of humans and machines is not confined to fusion with engineering machinery. Think of machinery as technology in a wider sense. One of the largest modern technological fields is biotechnology. People are helped by biotechnology in the form of medical treatment, but we could be heading toward a scenario in which people are composed of biotechnology. If that is the case, the question must be asked: what are the people who have been integrated with technology in such a way? My background is in western philosophy, which since ancient times has continually asked the question, “What is mankind?” Traditional philosophy was founded on a distinction between human beings and machines (as well as animals), but nowadays technology is beginning to shake this distinction and cyborgs, which are the fusion of man and machine, really have to be seen as a fundamental phenomenon in philosophical discussions. The question “What is mankind?” needs to be replaced by the question “What is a cyborg?”
Human beings composed of technology
Let’s move from abstract theory to concrete considerations. I have discussed the above-mentioned BMI elsewhere1, so here I want to focus on biotechnology, and especially iPS cells in regenerative medicine. Technology related to iPS cells has developed so quickly that in recent years hardly a day has gone by without it making the news. iPS cell technology is a field of regenerative medicine in which body cells are reprogrammed into a so-called pluripotent cell state, from which any organ can be created according to plan. Press coverage says that a number of significant breakthroughs will be needed before actual three-dimensional organs can be created, although attempts have already been made2. If this creation of real organs does become possible in the future, it will increase the opportunities for human beings to be composed of transplanted organs. More and more people will accept being composed of such biotechnology.
“Enhancement” providing enhanced, extended life
Attempts have already been made to genetically modify iPS cells and to restore “sick” genetic sequences to normal genetic sequences, with some successful cases being reported3. This kind of genetic modification will inevitably raise the issue of enhancement in the future. Enhancement means increased performance: think about the simple example of doping among athletes. This is, of course, a very problematic topic. In terms of the above-mentioned genetic repair, it means not only restoring gene sequences that cause illness into normal gene sequences, but also going further and creating gene sequences in order to enhance performance as well as health.
At the extreme end of enhancement is the extension of the natural limits to our lifespan, or in other words, increasing longevity. A general feature of technology is that it extends or amplifies the natural state. The technology of the automobile, for example, enables us to move at speeds unattainable in our natural state of walking or running, so basically it has extended and amplified our natural state of being on foot.
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- A Ukrainian gymnast carried the Paris Olympic torch with an EU team, in a sign of supporton May 10, 2024 at 8:39 am
Ukrainian gymnast Mariia Vysochanska led a group of European athletes carrying the torch for the Paris Olympics through the Mediterranean city of Marseille on Thursday, in an important symbolic moment ...
- Elon Musk's Tesla could soon have one billion 'humanoid robots' in circulationon May 8, 2024 at 8:17 am
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said there is 'no real limit' to the value of the 'humanoid robots' his company is building, and has suggested that one billion of his cyborgs could soon be in circulation ...
- Sonic Cyborgs compete in international robotics competitionon May 6, 2024 at 9:10 pm
A local elementary school robotics team has returned to Columbus after competing in an international tournament.
- Wearable exoskeleton can turn you into superhuman athleteon May 2, 2024 at 3:00 am
The X1 exoskeleton is a motorized artificial intelligence-powered all-terrain device that straps to your waist and thighs for hiking climbing and running.
- We're Looking at Brainwave Technology All Wrong | Opinionon April 29, 2024 at 6:01 am
This leaves the brainwave industry in a pickle, because AI will also come to dominate that industry, as it likely will with practically all tech. But this doesn't mean there's nothing humanity can do ...
- Not The Illuminate, A Traitorous Faction From Original Game May Be The True Helldivers 2 Endgameon April 28, 2024 at 12:22 pm
Helldivers 2 may be set 100 years after its predecessor, but it continues the galactic war theme by defending the iron fist of Super Earth against two races, the Terminids and Automatons. However, ...
- Who Were The Cyborgs In Helldivers?on April 9, 2024 at 5:12 pm
The Cyborgs were once humans, citizens of Super Earth who colonized the planet in the Valdis Sector that became known as Cyberstan. These people sought to break away from the oppressive regime and ...
- As Blue Beams Rain In ‘Helldivers 2,’ There’s One Player On The Cyborg Homeworldon March 17, 2024 at 4:55 am
Whenever it is conquered by Super Earth, the Cyborgs are then "democratized" by force, coerced into the voting booths by the threat of losing their civil rights. Super Earth's Army Tactical ...
- When Workers Hide Their Use Of Generative AI Blame Lousy AI Governance, Says AI Ethics And AI Lawon June 25, 2023 at 5:00 am
Blaring headlines this last week proclaimed that secret cyborgs are in your workplace and that they are using generative AI in the most inventive of ways. Yikes, you might be looking at your ...
- Beat the Cyborgson February 12, 2023 at 7:29 am
Mark Bishop Fantasy game show in which Max Manus and his games engineer Mendzies invite two teams of children to pit Cyborgs, including Scraper, Geo and Konka, against one another in the City of ...
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- Turning the Promise of Fusion into Realityon May 9, 2024 at 10:48 am
Science X is a network of high quality websites with most complete and comprehensive daily coverage of the full sweep of science, technology, and medicine news ...
- World’s Biggest Nuclear-Fusion Project Plans to Reset Without UKon May 8, 2024 at 7:38 am
The world’s biggest fusion-energy experiment is planning a reboot without one of its most important members, after the UK announced funding for a rival project trying to replicate the sun’s energy on ...
- Book of the Week: Fusion 360 for Makerson May 6, 2024 at 8:55 am
Kerry Stevenson, aka "General Fabb" has written over 8,000 stories on 3D printing at Fabbaloo since he launched the venture in 2007, with an intention to promote and grow the incredible technology of ...
- Unraveling TRON: Ares – Exploring the Origins of the Newest Characteron February 29, 2024 at 9:43 pm
Described as a highly sophisticated artificial intelligence program, Ares represents a convergence of technology and humanity, blurring the boundaries between man and machine. His journey into the ...
- The largest fusion reactor in the world fired up in Japan. Here's how the $600 million device compares to the US's revolutionary fusion machine.on December 17, 2023 at 3:43 am
Nuclear fusion has the potential to revolutionize ... Located in Naka, Japan, JT-60SA is a collaboration between Japan and the European Union, and it officially began operations on December ...
- Man And Machine: New Rolls-Royce Artwork By Refik Anadol Uses Complex Data To Provoke Dialogueson September 9, 2019 at 6:24 am
Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. I cover the arts, with a focus on design and lifestyle. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has announced its latest creative collaboration with the ...
- The blurring lines between man and machineon April 2, 2019 at 3:36 am
Beyond the practicalities that technology brings, there is also an increasing blurring of the lines between man and machine, as we find ourselves chatting to voice-activated assistants and interacting ...
- FUSION's Mission Statementon July 5, 2016 at 7:06 am
Looking into Vermeer’s painting The Astronomer, we are presented with a man half sitting half standing before ... Why is there such a significant separation between the two in modern society? FUSION ...
- Mayssa Karaa: The classic fusion between oriental melodies and classic American rockon April 5, 2015 at 12:21 am
who specializes in flamenco-rock fusion. A duet between the two from Nand’s latest album, “Time and Tide Wait for No Man,” in which Karaa sang in Arabic and Nand in Spanish, formed one of ...
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