Where brain data ends and philosophy begins: Philosophical perspectives on Brain Data
Brain science and technology has been moving very quickly in the past years. Technology like computer chips that mimic the brain, brain-controlled devices or artificial intelligence are on the rise. With the surge of these technologies, many ethical and philosophical questions arise. Senior researcher in ethics an philosophy of technology Stephen Rainey tackles these questions in his book: Philosophical perspectives on Brain Data.
Technology, the brain, and human behaviour
About 20 years ago, philosophers started thinking about the human brain. How do we make decisions? What defines one’s identity?
Science, on the other hand, has moved swiftly in different directions. From computer chips that mimic the brain to brain-controlled technology. Rainey has worked in many projects in this field and realizes the multifaceted nature of the issues at hand. For example, when creating technologies that give back speech to people who are paralysed, it raises questions about mind reading and how speech works within the mind.
The importance of ethics
The combination of the brain and technology is complicated. “The brain has a mystique to it. People tend to believe what they are told about the brain because it is so complicated”
Rainey wants to debunk some myths and “flip the hype” around neurotechnology. The way these technologies are marketed is often misleading. According to him, it is important to keep asking the right questions and to be critical towards technology even if we don’t understand it, so we don’t become objects for other people’s plans.
“People need to be aware that if they are using a brain-reading device to write an email, this device is also filling a database for a massive tech company, who will use it for their own ends.”
An interest in topics that relate to the mind and actions of people
Stephen Rainey studied philosophy and got his PhD in governance in policy technologies. His interest focused on AI and neurotechnology. “I’m interested in topics that relate to the mind and actions of people” Rainey says. The questions that intrigued him related to the ways in which people respond to technology.
Rainey has been working as a philosopher in teams of scientists since 2014, where he is always the ‘ethics person’. “I’m always interested in the conceptual questions behind the technological questions.”.
“Philosophical perspectives on Brain Data”
“Philosophical perspectives on Brain Data” is Stephen Rainey’s personal work. In his book, he delves into the philosophy of brain data, neurotechnology and neuroscience.
What makes the book unique is its philosophical aspect. When asking: What would it mean to read a mind from a brain? The book first dives into what could be defined as the “mind”.
Rainey’s book is now available for download
