Possible Bioethics: Possible Bioethics: Reconstructed HumansReconstructed Humans

Susantha GoonatilakeSusantha GoonatilakeRoyal Asiatic Society, Royal Asiatic Society,

ColomboColombo

Anthropocene not the only Anthropocene not the only eliminationelimination action in townaction in town

The Anthropocene posits elimination of The Anthropocene posits elimination of genetic information delivered by 3 genetic information delivered by 3 billion years of evolution billion years of evolution

But genetic information elimination, its But genetic information elimination, its transformation and translation is transformation and translation is occurring through different means as occurring through different means as important as through climate change important as through climate change etcetc

Three lineages of informationThree lineages of information

There are historically derived lineages in There are historically derived lineages in biology (3.5 billion years old genetic biology (3.5 billion years old genetic system) system)

Human knowledge/information, that of Human knowledge/information, that of human culture, say 10,000 years old human culture, say 10,000 years old

Extra-somatic computer based Extra-somatic computer based knowledge/information lineages (say, 60 knowledge/information lineages (say, 60 years old) with respectively their own years old) with respectively their own knowledge/information trees. knowledge/information trees.

Three Systems Merge Three Systems Merge

These three systems: the cultural, the These three systems: the cultural, the genetic and the artefactual are thru the genetic and the artefactual are thru the expanding world of biotechnology and expanding world of biotechnology and advanced information technology advanced information technology beginning to merge beginning to merge They exchange information across the They exchange information across the three lineages three lineages Consequently their respective Consequently their respective knowledge/information systems change. knowledge/information systems change.

Hybridization

These three information realms - the genetic, These three information realms - the genetic, the cultural and computer - (that is “digital” the cultural and computer - (that is “digital” information) although nominally separate are information) although nominally separate are increasingly hybridizing themselves, merging increasingly hybridizing themselves, merging their information stores and means of their information stores and means of processing information. processing information.

This occurs through advances in This occurs through advances in biotechnology and information technologybiotechnology and information technology

The Merging of Genetic and The Merging of Genetic and Cultural Information exampleCultural Information exampleA scientist isolating a gene and splicing it A scientist isolating a gene and splicing it into an existing genome and so creating a into an existing genome and so creating a new biological entity is doing a cultural act. new biological entity is doing a cultural act.

He takes cultural information, (in this case He takes cultural information, (in this case scientific information on how a gene is held scientific information on how a gene is held together, how it can be removed and together, how it can be removed and reinserted into another organism) and reinserted into another organism) and combines this with genetic information. combines this with genetic information.

Merging Of Genes Into CultureMerging Of Genes Into Culture

Digital and Biological Gets Digital and Biological Gets MergedMerged

Digital - computer - information and biological Digital - computer - information and biological information also gets merged. Work on the Human information also gets merged. Work on the Human Genome Project and similar projects are so Genome Project and similar projects are so computer intensive that one has to think of it only as computer intensive that one has to think of it only as a partially merged system. a partially merged system. In the opposite direction, bio chips - computer chips In the opposite direction, bio chips - computer chips with biological elements already built-in also results with biological elements already built-in also results in merging. There is also an indirect form of merging in merging. There is also an indirect form of merging through computer techniques like neural networks through computer techniques like neural networks and genetic algorithms which mimic biological and genetic algorithms which mimic biological systems in computing processing. Some newer systems in computing processing. Some newer approaches use techniques borrowed from immune approaches use techniques borrowed from immune systems in biologysystems in biology..

Merging Of Cultural And Merging Of Cultural And Artefactual InformationArtefactual Information

Direct Merging Of Biological And Direct Merging Of Biological And Artefactual InformationArtefactual Information

All Three Realms MergingAll Three Realms Merging

Often the mergings are not just two-Often the mergings are not just two-way but three-way, all three realms way but three-way, all three realms merging. Thus when work is done on merging. Thus when work is done on the many genome projects around the the many genome projects around the world, after that of the Human Genome, world, after that of the Human Genome, some of the analysis of the information some of the analysis of the information is done in the computer mode because is done in the computer mode because that is where the data resides. that is where the data resides.

Merged EvolutionMerged Evolution

Major Report by the USMajor Report by the US

The convergence of nanotechnology, The convergence of nanotechnology, bioengineering, information sciences and bioengineering, information sciences and cognitive research has created a vast cognitive research has created a vast opportunity to enhance human performance, opportunity to enhance human performance, says a major new report issued by the United says a major new report issued by the United States Department of Commerce and the States Department of Commerce and the National Science Foundation. National Science Foundation. Many of the US's top scientists, academics, Many of the US's top scientists, academics, industry leaders and policy makers were industry leaders and policy makers were assembled recently to assess the potential assembled recently to assess the potential impact of emerging technologies.   impact of emerging technologies.  

Converging TechnologiesConverging Technologies

Converging TechnologiesConverging Technologiesfor Improving Human Performance:for Improving Human Performance:

Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology and Cognitive Information Technology and Cognitive ScienceScience

Emerging Technologies Emerging Technologies Enhance Human AbilitiesEnhance Human Abilities

The US report recommends that the U.S. The US report recommends that the U.S. designate as a national priority research and designate as a national priority research and development in emerging technologies that development in emerging technologies that enhance human abilities and efficiencies by enhance human abilities and efficiencies by combining four major "NBIC" (Nano-Bio-Info-combining four major "NBIC" (Nano-Bio-Info-Cogno) areas: nanoscience and Cogno) areas: nanoscience and nanotechnology, biotechnology, and nanotechnology, biotechnology, and biomedicine, including genetic engineering; biomedicine, including genetic engineering; information technology, including advanced information technology, including advanced computing and telecommunications; and computing and telecommunications; and cognitive science, including cognitive cognitive science, including cognitive neuroscienceneuroscience. .

Within 10 To 20 YearsWithin 10 To 20 Years

Examples cited of how convergent Examples cited of how convergent technologies could benefit humanity within technologies could benefit humanity within 10 to 20 years include: 10 to 20 years include: Fast, broad-bandwidth interfaces directly Fast, broad-bandwidth interfaces directly between the human brain and machines will between the human brain and machines will transform work, control of automobiles, transform work, control of automobiles, ensure superiority of military vehicles, and ensure superiority of military vehicles, and enable new sports, and art forms. enable new sports, and art forms. The human body will be more durable, The human body will be more durable, healthy, energetic, easier to repair, and healthy, energetic, easier to repair, and resistant to many kinds of stress, biological resistant to many kinds of stress, biological threat, and aging process. threat, and aging process.

Human Cognome ProjectHuman Cognome Project

The US Government report also The US Government report also recommends launching a Human recommends launching a Human Cognome Project, comparable to the Cognome Project, comparable to the successful Human Genome Project, to successful Human Genome Project, to chart the structure and functions of the chart the structure and functions of the human mind. Another report prepared human mind. Another report prepared for the U.S. National Intelligence for the U.S. National Intelligence Council by the RAND Corporation Council by the RAND Corporation contained similar findings contained similar findings

Biotechnology Reshapes Biotechnology Reshapes

Biotechnology would reshape and Biotechnology would reshape and reformulate among others, life, death, reformulate among others, life, death, health and beauty. health and beauty. The ethical as well as esthetic criteria The ethical as well as esthetic criteria on which these are decided upon are on which these are decided upon are deeply culture bound deeply culture bound If debated within the Asian region's If debated within the Asian region's different cultural traditions would give different cultural traditions would give different answers from those of the different answers from those of the West. West.

Information Technology Information Technology

Advanced information technology aims at Advanced information technology aims at cloning the partial behavior of the mind. cloning the partial behavior of the mind.

This raises deep questions for those parts of This raises deep questions for those parts of Asia that have strong cultural and religious Asia that have strong cultural and religious traditions emphasizing the importance of the traditions emphasizing the importance of the mind and mind culture. mind and mind culture.

Asian inputs on the ethics and nature of AI Asian inputs on the ethics and nature of AI could strongly influence the direction of could strongly influence the direction of information technology.information technology.

Constructing and reconstructingConstructing and reconstructing

We therefore are/will be constructing We therefore are/will be constructing and reconstructing the human body and reconstructing the human body and mind, from new developments in and mind, from new developments in biotechnology and information biotechnology and information technology technology

As say in clone, robot or cyborg or As say in clone, robot or cyborg or their admixtures.their admixtures.

Social theory for new Social theory for new technologiestechnologies

In the new world of information technology In the new world of information technology and biotechnology there are new ethical and biotechnology there are new ethical challenges not met before. challenges not met before.

These problems are raised because these These problems are raised because these technologies clone parts of the body and the technologies clone parts of the body and the mind. mind.

These are the subject of intense discussion These are the subject of intense discussion on the essential nature of the human that is on the essential nature of the human that is being intruded upon by these technologies.being intruded upon by these technologies.

Deep questionsDeep questions

Deep questions are raised by these Deep questions are raised by these coming developments.coming developments.They intrude on not only S&T but also They intrude on not only S&T but also on ethicson ethicsThe ethics on which these issues have The ethics on which these issues have been hitherto discussed are Western been hitherto discussed are Western ones, Hindu-Buddhist ideas for ones, Hindu-Buddhist ideas for example have not influenced this example have not influenced this debatedebate..

UrgentUrgent challenges challenges

Deep questions that challenge existing Deep questions that challenge existing ethical systems are raised ethical systems are raised

Dominant “Western” religious ethical Dominant “Western” religious ethical systems are derived from Christianity, systems are derived from Christianity, Judaism or Islam (the larger Western Judaism or Islam (the larger Western “Abrahamaic” family of religions)“Abrahamaic” family of religions)

The ethical system being “revealed” and to The ethical system being “revealed” and to be “God’s word”. be “God’s word”.

UrgentUrgent challenges challenges

There are also “secular” ethicsThere are also “secular” ethics

New developments from abortion, to New developments from abortion, to cloning and in the future, artificial genes cloning and in the future, artificial genes and artificial chromosomes and non and artificial chromosomes and non biologically augmented humans thru say biologically augmented humans thru say Artificial Intelligent AI implants challenge Artificial Intelligent AI implants challenge some of these ethical assumptions.some of these ethical assumptions.

UrgentUrgent challenges challenges

Many such challenges rest on what it is to be Many such challenges rest on what it is to be a person and the nature of the selfa person and the nature of the self

Some recent approaches to the living world Some recent approaches to the living world and the environment have utilized cultural and the environment have utilized cultural elements from major non-Western elements from major non-Western philosophies as well as those of simpler philosophies as well as those of simpler belief systems eg Ecofeminism. belief systems eg Ecofeminism.

Continuous Change Is Central To Continuous Change Is Central To The Emerging HumanThe Emerging Human

Continuous change of the self and the Continuous change of the self and the person is the condition of the emerging person is the condition of the emerging humanhuman

A major cultural approach that has A major cultural approach that has continuous change as its core is continuous change as its core is Buddhist philosophy. Buddhist philosophy.

Core Buddhist approachesCore Buddhist approaches

Have direct relevance to a future where Have direct relevance to a future where both the human and his/her both the human and his/her environment is constructed and environment is constructed and reconstructedreconstructed

Central Buddhist positionCentral Buddhist position

Both the human person, including his body Both the human person, including his body and mind, as well as the environment he and mind, as well as the environment he operates in, are not given or sacred but operates in, are not given or sacred but constructed and changing.constructed and changing.

This approach has direct relevance to a This approach has direct relevance to a future where both the human and his/her future where both the human and his/her environment are constructed and environment are constructed and reconstructedreconstructed

DisclaimerDisclaimer

In using Buddhist philosophy here, one In using Buddhist philosophy here, one need not accept all the cultural aspects need not accept all the cultural aspects of Buddhism as one does not have to of Buddhism as one does not have to believe all Christian mythology to use believe all Christian mythology to use the philosophical counterpart of a the philosophical counterpart of a Creator namely a First Cause.Creator namely a First Cause.

““Religion”, “Philosophy”, Religion”, “Philosophy”, “Science”: S Asian and West“Science”: S Asian and West

In discussions on bioethics, the fields In discussions on bioethics, the fields of science, philosophy and religion of science, philosophy and religion intermingle. intermingle.

But “religion”, “philosophy”, and But “religion”, “philosophy”, and “science” have different connotations “science” have different connotations from a South Asian - say Buddhist - from a South Asian - say Buddhist - perspective and a Eurocentric one. perspective and a Eurocentric one.

Hence an explanatory aside is neededHence an explanatory aside is needed

South Asian belief systemsSouth Asian belief systems

Generally all South Asian belief Generally all South Asian belief systems formally divide themselves to systems formally divide themselves to two levels, namely:two levels, namely:““Conventional” beliefs and practices Conventional” beliefs and practices Sammuthi SathyaSammuthi Sathya (for the ordinary (for the ordinary believer)believer)““Higher”, philosophical knowledge Higher”, philosophical knowledge ParamarthaParamartha SathyaSathya (for higher (for higher practitioners)practitioners)

South Asian and Judeo Christian South Asian and Judeo Christian systems differsystems differ

South Asian belief systems possess a South Asian belief systems possess a heavy overlay of philosophy as heavy overlay of philosophy as foundation. foundation.

Western religions are firstly revealed Western religions are firstly revealed systems, to be by a higher power, systems, to be by a higher power, ‘God’. Philosophy comes later.‘God’. Philosophy comes later.

Buddhism’s core philosophy Buddhism’s core philosophy of the individualof the individual

““Anicca”Anicca” and “ and “Anathma”Anathma”

MeaningMeaning “Impermanence and change”, “Impermanence and change”, and and “No abiding soul or self”“No abiding soul or self”

These are not “mystical” but realistic These are not “mystical” but realistic and matter of fact statementsand matter of fact statements

Buddhism takes on the personBuddhism takes on the person

There is nothing durable or of static There is nothing durable or of static being.being.The continuity of life is not through an The continuity of life is not through an abiding permanent structure, an 'I'. abiding permanent structure, an 'I'. Buddhism is unique in the philosophies Buddhism is unique in the philosophies of the world that it denies the existence of the world that it denies the existence of a self or a soul. of a self or a soul. A belief in a permanent abiding 'me' is A belief in a permanent abiding 'me' is radically deconstructed in Buddhismradically deconstructed in Buddhism

Buddhist deconstruction of selfBuddhist deconstruction of self

Breaks down physical and mental factors of Breaks down physical and mental factors of the person into changing components the person into changing components

"there is no materiality whatever ..... no "there is no materiality whatever ..... no feeling ... no perception .... no formations ... feeling ... no perception .... no formations ... no consciousness whatever that is no consciousness whatever that is permanent, everlasting, eternal, not permanent, everlasting, eternal, not inseparable from the idea of change, .... that inseparable from the idea of change, .... that will last” – the Buddhawill last” – the Buddha

Buddhist deconstruction of selfBuddhist deconstruction of self[contd][contd]

"When neither self nor anything pertaining to "When neither self nor anything pertaining to self can truly and really be found, this self can truly and really be found, this speculative view [of] a permanent, abiding, speculative view [of] a permanent, abiding, ever-lasting, unchanging [self] is wholly and ever-lasting, unchanging [self] is wholly and completely foolish" - the Buddha completely foolish" - the Buddha

A disciple of the Buddha elaborated further A disciple of the Buddha elaborated further that what one calls that what one calls 'I AM'I AM' is: "neither matter, ' is: "neither matter, sensation, perception, mental formations nor sensation, perception, mental formations nor consciousness"consciousness"

Buddhist deconstruction of self Buddhist deconstruction of self [contd][contd]

Physical elements change, as do Physical elements change, as do mental phenomena. mental phenomena.

All are in a state of perpetual becoming. All are in a state of perpetual becoming. All phenomena are but fleeting strings All phenomena are but fleeting strings and chains of events. and chains of events.

As the constituents of an individual As the constituents of an individual change, s/he does not remain the same change, s/he does not remain the same for two constituent momentsfor two constituent moments

Buddhist deconstruction of self Buddhist deconstruction of self [contd][contd]

There is no individual, only a changing There is no individual, only a changing stream.stream.

“ “Life is a stream (Life is a stream (sotasota), an unbroken ), an unbroken succession of aggregates. There is no succession of aggregates. There is no temporal or spatial break or pause in temporal or spatial break or pause in this life continuity. This continuity is this life continuity. This continuity is not through a soul, but through a not through a soul, but through a stream of becoming”.stream of becoming”.

Buddhist deconstruction of self Buddhist deconstruction of self [contd][contd]

This analysis is partly arrived at from observing the This analysis is partly arrived at from observing the innermost subjectively felt inside a person.innermost subjectively felt inside a person.

One of the objectives of Buddhist mental exercises, One of the objectives of Buddhist mental exercises, 'meditation' is to observe, experience and describe 'meditation' is to observe, experience and describe for oneself this lack of self and of permanence from for oneself this lack of self and of permanence from within one's own streams of thoughts and mental within one's own streams of thoughts and mental phenomena. phenomena.

From within our own innermost subjectivity, the From within our own innermost subjectivity, the problem of identity and of an abiding "I" is shown to problem of identity and of an abiding "I" is shown to be a false onebe a false one

Buddhist Deconstruction and Buddhist Deconstruction and New TechnologiesNew Technologies

From such a perspective, the questions From such a perspective, the questions raised by new technologies on identity are raised by new technologies on identity are seen differently. seen differently. The existential angst of being a hybrid, of The existential angst of being a hybrid, of having genes of plants and animals inside having genes of plants and animals inside one is seen differently. The problem of one's one is seen differently. The problem of one's 'self' being spread over several artifacts now 'self' being spread over several artifacts now loses its potential terror. The threat of being loses its potential terror. The threat of being a cyborg, of Frankenstein's creature; the a cyborg, of Frankenstein's creature; the concerns of a Jeremy Rifkin the concerns of a Jeremy Rifkin the fundamentalist critic of biotechnology is fundamentalist critic of biotechnology is seen differently.seen differently.

Buddhist Deconstruction and Buddhist Deconstruction and New TechnologiesNew Technologies

Living things, complained Rifkin “are no Living things, complained Rifkin “are no longer perceived as carrots and peas, foxes longer perceived as carrots and peas, foxes and hens. …. All living things are drained of and hens. …. All living things are drained of their aliveness and turned into abstract their aliveness and turned into abstract messages. ……... There is no longer any messages. ……... There is no longer any question of sacredness ….. How could there question of sacredness ….. How could there be when there are no longer any be when there are no longer any recognizable boundaries to respect”. recognizable boundaries to respect”.

Buddhist Deconstruction and Buddhist Deconstruction and New TechnologiesNew Technologies

Further, Rifkin continued “as bioengineering Further, Rifkin continued “as bioengineering

technology winds its way through the many technology winds its way through the many passageways of life, stripping one living passageways of life, stripping one living thing after another of its identity, replacing thing after another of its identity, replacing the original creations with technologically the original creations with technologically designed replicas, the world gradually designed replicas, the world gradually becomes a lonelier place” . becomes a lonelier place” .

Buddhism stripped this seeming sacredness Buddhism stripped this seeming sacredness of identity over two and a half millennia ago.of identity over two and a half millennia ago.

Buddhist Approach to New Buddhist Approach to New Technologies?Technologies?

A gene does not make a sentient being. Only A gene does not make a sentient being. Only the stream of a being's existence, of an the stream of a being's existence, of an onwards flowing history constitutes the onwards flowing history constitutes the sentient human or the sentient cyborg. A sentient human or the sentient cyborg. A person does not exist as a unique individual person does not exist as a unique individual but as a constructed ever changing flow, an but as a constructed ever changing flow, an onwardly moving lineage. If to this lineage onwardly moving lineage. If to this lineage are added new elements, new parts, it is but are added new elements, new parts, it is but in the very 'normal' nature of such streams. in the very 'normal' nature of such streams. All such streams are constructed from All such streams are constructed from constituents in an ever moving process. A constituents in an ever moving process. A person's person's normalnormal existence is of such a existence is of such a constructed being. constructed being.

Buddhist Approach to New Buddhist Approach to New Technologies?Technologies?

The artificial introduction of elements The artificial introduction of elements say to the internal flow from new genes say to the internal flow from new genes or artifacts is but another manifestation or artifacts is but another manifestation of the normal construction of such of the normal construction of such flows. flows.

From a realist's perspective, there is no From a realist's perspective, there is no difference.difference.

Angst and FearAngst and Fear

But such a perspective makes one squeamish. But such a perspective makes one squeamish. Raises fright, alarm and even disgust. One would not Raises fright, alarm and even disgust. One would not mind, a set of false teeth, even an implanted one, a mind, a set of false teeth, even an implanted one, a prosthesis for one's limbs say, a walking stick or for prosthesis for one's limbs say, a walking stick or for that matter even a motorized electronically that matter even a motorized electronically controlled one. But messing up one's interiority, controlled one. But messing up one's interiority, ones subjectivity, evokes an entirely different order ones subjectivity, evokes an entirely different order of emotions. The aliens taking over minds, raises of emotions. The aliens taking over minds, raises different feelings, of one's own consciousness being different feelings, of one's own consciousness being invaded. It is after all, putting doubt on one's own invaded. It is after all, putting doubt on one's own subjectively-felt oneness that is at stake. subjectively-felt oneness that is at stake.

Angst and Fear NormalAngst and Fear Normal

But in such instances, the Buddha himself had been But in such instances, the Buddha himself had been very firm, rejecting the views of persons who take very firm, rejecting the views of persons who take the thing called the 'mind' or 'consciousness' to be the thing called the 'mind' or 'consciousness' to be an unchanging substance.an unchanging substance. In that case it was better he argued, for a person to In that case it was better he argued, for a person to take the physical body as an unchanging 'self', take the physical body as an unchanging 'self', rather than thought, mind or consciousness, rather than thought, mind or consciousness, because the body was at least more solid in because the body was at least more solid in appearance than the mental, which are ephemeral appearance than the mental, which are ephemeral and continually change and so are hardly candidate and continually change and so are hardly candidate for permanency for permanency

Demystifying InteriorityDemystifying Interiority

Buddhist psychology demystifies interiority Buddhist psychology demystifies interiority and consciousness into mundane and consciousness into mundane components. components.

"Were a man to say I shall show the "Were a man to say I shall show the coming, the going, the passing away, the coming, the going, the passing away, the arising, the growth, the increase or arising, the growth, the increase or development of consciousness apart from development of consciousness apart from body, sensation, perception and volitional body, sensation, perception and volitional formations, he would be speaking about formations, he would be speaking about something which does not exist” – the something which does not exist” – the BuddhaBuddha

Fear of flying?Fear of flying?

But experiencing the intrusion of the new But experiencing the intrusion of the new technologies that remake us biologically and technologies that remake us biologically and culturally, in an internal sense is disturbing. culturally, in an internal sense is disturbing. It challenges our sense of self. It challenges our sense of self. "This idea that I may not be, I may not have, "This idea that I may not be, I may not have, is frightening to the uninstructed" as the is frightening to the uninstructed" as the Buddha himself put it. Buddha himself put it. And, as the belief in an abiding self is deep And, as the belief in an abiding self is deep rooted in humans, the contrary position is rooted in humans, the contrary position is 'against the current' as the Buddhist texts 'against the current' as the Buddhist texts say on one other occasionsay on one other occasion

Facing constructed humanityFacing constructed humanity

If then in the coming future, it is inevitable If then in the coming future, it is inevitable that we be constructed and reconstructed, that we be constructed and reconstructed, from biotechnology, and IT, what should be from biotechnology, and IT, what should be our epistemological, philosophical, ethical our epistemological, philosophical, ethical and subjectively felt guiding principle be. and subjectively felt guiding principle be.

If "we" would then be cyborgs and hybrids, If "we" would then be cyborgs and hybrids, what should the interiority of robots, of what should the interiority of robots, of constructed hybrids be, as they navigate constructed hybrids be, as they navigate reality, and tunnel through time subjectively reality, and tunnel through time subjectively

Inside constructed humanityInside constructed humanity

The person is not a ‘what’, but a process. The person is not a ‘what’, but a process. Being is only a snap shot in the process of Being is only a snap shot in the process of becoming, lasting only the length of one becoming, lasting only the length of one thought. thought. "Just as a chariot wheel in rolling, rolls only "Just as a chariot wheel in rolling, rolls only at one point of the tire, and in resting rests at one point of the tire, and in resting rests only at one point; in exactly the same way, only at one point; in exactly the same way, the [internal] life of a living being lasts only the [internal] life of a living being lasts only for the period of one thought. As soon as for the period of one thought. As soon as that thought has ceased, the being is said to that thought has ceased, the being is said to have ceased”.have ceased”.

Inside constructed humanityInside constructed humanity

There is no stable sub stratum to be considered the There is no stable sub stratum to be considered the self. It just symbolizes a stream of physical and self. It just symbolizes a stream of physical and psychological phenomena that is perishing. This is psychological phenomena that is perishing. This is the correct view to be internalized in the inevitable the correct view to be internalized in the inevitable day of the cyborg. As the day of the cyborg. As the Vissudhi MaggaVissudhi Magga put it: put it:

There is no doer but the deedThere is no doer but the deedThere is no experiencer but the experience.There is no experiencer but the experience.Constituent parts roll on. Constituent parts roll on. This is the true and correct view This is the true and correct view

Constructed Humanity: Mind Constructed Humanity: Mind And BodyAnd Body

“The mental and material, both are here in fact,

A human substance though cannot be found,

Void it is, set up like a machine,

A mass of conflict, like a bundle of grass and sticks.”

- 5th C AD Commentator Buddhaghosa

Constructed Humanity: “I” as Constructed Humanity: “I” as RobotRobot

"As a puppet walks and stands through a combination of wood and strings, although it is empty, without life, without impulse, so this contraption of mental and material factors [the person], void, without soul, without free will can walk and stand, as if it had will and work of its own”

5th C AD Commentator Buddhaghosa

An Aside: Buddhist goalsAn Aside: Buddhist goals

One analyses oneself, knows oneself only to realize One analyses oneself, knows oneself only to realize that there is no self in the first place. This is not an that there is no self in the first place. This is not an intellectual knowledge but an internally observed, intellectual knowledge but an internally observed, felt knowledge. This elimination of the sense of self felt knowledge. This elimination of the sense of self sets one free in Buddhism. This is the highest sets one free in Buddhism. This is the highest ethical goal in Buddhism. When the realization ethical goal in Buddhism. When the realization dawns that I am not a thing but a process, then the dawns that I am not a thing but a process, then the future becomes open ended. Buddhism is self-future becomes open ended. Buddhism is self-referential, to know oneself is to make oneself, to referential, to know oneself is to make oneself, to guide the self that is not there. In the Buddhist guide the self that is not there. In the Buddhist analysis, unsatisfactoriness and anxiety becomes analysis, unsatisfactoriness and anxiety becomes essential to the 'I' because these are the 'I's essential to the 'I' because these are the 'I's response to its own groundlessness.response to its own groundlessness.

An Aside: Buddhist EthicsAn Aside: Buddhist Ethics

Buddhist Ethics are not absoluteBuddhist Ethics are not absolute

No creator given CommandmentsNo creator given Commandments

Buddhist Ethics are situationalBuddhist Ethics are situational

Highest Buddhist EthicHighest Buddhist Ethic

Highest Buddhist goal: Highest Buddhist goal: “Enlightenment”“Enlightenment”

Which is: the internal realization that Which is: the internal realization that their is no “I”. their is no “I”.

That seen within, one is only a processThat seen within, one is only a process

Buddhist Constructed Buddhist Constructed Humanity? Humanity?

Those who are constructing a new Those who are constructing a new humanity may not know it, but they are humanity may not know it, but they are foundationally Buddhistsfoundationally Buddhists In both perspectives the body and In both perspectives the body and mind are intertwined and changingmind are intertwined and changingIn both perspectives the body and mind In both perspectives the body and mind are not mystical but constructedare not mystical but constructed In both perspectives the body and In both perspectives the body and mind are malleable in definable waysmind are malleable in definable ways

There is a differenceThere is a difference

Those who are constructing a new humanity Those who are constructing a new humanity view their phenomena from the outside, as view their phenomena from the outside, as objects objects

Buddhists have analyzed partly subjectively, Buddhists have analyzed partly subjectively, partly from within partly from within

May be we should examine constructed May be we should examine constructed humans internally humans internally

That is internalize being a robot, a cyborgThat is internalize being a robot, a cyborg

Like asking “What is it to be a robot?”Like asking “What is it to be a robot?”

Be unafraid Be unafraid Welcome to the new futureWelcome to the new future

Thanks!Thanks!