Today it is regarded by many professional groups to be fruitful as well as necessary to bridge the gap between art and science. Many areas of scientific research needs better thinking and creative working relationship between humanistic and scientific subjects is one approach to ensure that the best solutions and ideas are developed.
Neuroscience is an exciting as well as fast developing research field. In some cases, the ideas and developments involve manipulation of the human brain. Neuroengineering is an area where in the future it will be possible to regulate people’s moods with brain implants. Neuroscientists are often good at exploring values and ethical consequences of their research, yet a working relationship with philosophers may be beneficial both for the scientists and the philosophers. They often explore similar questions from different angles and perspectives. Philosophers have a long tradition of examining some of the questions that neuroengineers are facing. and philosophers may benefit from new inputs and thinking more actively about problems that may face humans in the future. At the same time, neuroengineers may gain a deeper understanding into some of the problems they may face when they develop brain implants.
Some general issues that scientists and philosophers can explore are:
- Do we have free will?
- Who are we?
- What is the difference between controlling the mind with implants and chemicals, and controlling it with economic incentives?
- What are the ethical and social consequences of being able to choose to live >150 years?
- What is the consequences of the moment when you cannot see a difference between humans and robots ( singularity)?
- What are the consequences of using genetic modified food?
- Manipulation of DNA?
- What are the benefits and risks of geoengineering?
- How to solve problems with the increasing gap between high income and low income classes?
- Global capitalism and the destroyed middle class.
Photo:”Idea Concept With Human Head” by renjith krishnan
