Neuroengineering the future : virtual minds and the creation of immortality / by Bruce F. Katz.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Katz, Bruce F., 1959-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Biomedical engineering.

Neural networks (Neurobiology).

Physical Description:

xvi, 389 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

Hingham, Mass. : Infinity Science Press, [2008]

Summary:

We are on the cusp of a broad revolution-one with startling implications for perception, cognition, emotion, and indeed, personal identity. Still in its relative infancy, neuroengineering is poised to move from perceptual aids, such as cochlear implants, to devices that will enhance and speed up thought, to the ultimate goal of researchers-that of uploading the mind from its bound state in the body to a platform-independent existence. This controversial book describes the science that will make these transformations possible. It begins by describing how the brain works, including an overview of the architecture of the brain. It then examines the current state-of-the-art in neural technologies, including devices that read from the brain, and devices that can write information into the brain. The book also describes how insights from the nascent field of consciousness studies show how the full transfer of the "soul" could be realized. Finally, it considers what it would be like to be a mind unbound, and the possibilities beyond those found in ordinary corporeal life.

Contents:

Part 1 Foundational Material

Chapter 2 The Brain as Designed by Evolution: Functional Neuroanatomy 15

The Brain: An Evolutionary Overview 16

The reptilian brain 18

The limbic brain 20

The neocortex 23

The Neuron and the Neuron Doctrine 25

Some Important Systems 31

Vision 31

The motor system 38

The arousal system 41

Anatomical Limitations of the Brain 44

Volume and weight 44

Surface area 46

White matter and conduction time 48

Barriers to the evolution of the brain 49

Chapter 3 The Brain as Designed by Evolution: Low- and High-Level Cognition 53

Neural Networks 53

Pattern recognition and computation 55

Representation 59

Learning 61

High-level cognition 63

The tale of the monkfish 64

Symbolic cognition 67

Implications for neuroengineering 71

Computational Limitations of Homo Sapiens 73

Chapter 4 A Framework for Consciousness and Its Role in Neuroengineering 79

Qualia as the data of consciousness 81

Supervenience 84

Experimental Data 88

Blindsight 89

Binocular rivalry 93

Backward masking 94

Context-driven perception 95

Sleep and unconsciousness 98

Supervenient Theories: A Survey 99

Eliminative materialism 101

Noneliminative materialism 103

Quantum theories of consciousness 105

Functionalism 109

Can this Theory be Saved? 117

The reciprocal corollary 120

Theoretical comparisons 123

Consistency with results 126

Statism? 134

Reduced Functionalism and Neuroengineering 136

Chapter 5 Personal Identity 141

Philosophical Foundations 147

The simple view 147

Psychological continuity 149

Organic continuity 152

Deflationary accounts 153

Insights from Buddhism and Eastern Religions 156

Psychology and Identity 157

Pathologies of identity 158

The plasticity of self 160

Autobiographical memory 161

The neurobiology of self 164

A Synthesis of Views: The Self as Genuine Illusion 166

The Fluidity of Identity 178

Part 2 Neural Engineering: The State of the Art

Chapter 6 Brain Machine Interfaces: Principles, Issues, and Examples 185

Principles of BMI 187

Bandwidth and degrees of freedom 187

Open and closed loop systems 190

Adaptation and plasticity 191

Course coding and cell ensembles 194

Transparency of action 197

Reading from the brain 200

Noninvasive methods 200

Invasive methods 209

Semi-invasive methods 211

Signal Interpretation 211

Linear methods 213

Nonlinear methods 214

Mind reading vs. brain reading 215

Representative Examples 217

Animal, invasive 218

Human, noninvasive 220

Human, semi-invasive and invasive 223

Chapter 7 Stimulating the Brain 231

Sensory Prostheses 232

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) 237

Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) 243

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) 244

Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) 248

Chapter 8 Near-term Trends 253

Closed Loop Brain Stimulation (CLBS) 253

The Expanded Sensorium 256

Implantable Chips, Extensible Bodies 258

Mind Reading 261

Neuroart 263

A New "New Age"? 265

Part 3 The Future of Neuroengineering

Chapter 9 From Thinking Caps to Eureka Caps 273

The Amplification of Intelligence 273

The nature of intelligence 274

Augmented cognition 280

Toward a thinking cap 281

The Induction of Creativity 287

Anecdotal and psychological evidence 288

Neurophysiology and creativity 292

Toward a eureka-inducing device 294

The Manufactured Genius? 298

Chapter 10 Happy on Demand 303

Pleasure and the Brain 305

Self-stimulation and reward 305

Imaging studies of meditation 308

Orgasm and euphoria 311

Theories of Happiness 314

Determinants of Happiness 318

Clear Perception, Clear Action: An Integrated View of Happiness and Pleasure 321

The Kernel Pleasure Principle (KPP) 325

Happiness Machines: Orbs and Orgasmatrons 329

Chapter 11 Uploading the Soul: Prospects and Mechanisms 339

Review and Clarification of the Necessary Conditions for Identity Uploading 343

Uploading Procedures 345

Method 1 Thought and behavior replication 345

Method 2 Synaptic copying 349

Method 3 Gradual offloading 353

Who Gets to be Virtualized? 354

Look, Ma. No Body! 356

Chapter 12 The Mind, Unbound 363

Temporary Immortality 364

Neuroholidays 367

Soul Amalgams 375

The Fundamental Luminosity of Mind 379.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781934015186

1934015180

OCLC:

179789692