SEEKING NORMATIVE GUIDELINES FOR NOVEL FUTURE FORMS OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Abstract

The potential for the near-future development of two technologies — artificial forms of intelligence, as well as the ability to "upload" human minds into artificial forms — raises several ethical questions regarding the proper treatment and understanding of these artificial minds. The crux of the dilemma is whether or not such creations should be accorded the same rights we currently grant humans, and this question seems to hinge upon whether they will exhibit their own "subjectivity", or internal viewpoints. Recognizing this as the essential factor yields some ethical guidance, but these issues need further exploration before such technologies become available.