Abstract: The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and neuroengineering is redefining the future of human cognition, paving the way for brain uploading, memory transfer, and digital consciousness. This chapter explores the scientific and philosophical dimensions of AI-driven neural interfaces, high-resolution brain mapping, and whole-brain emulation (WBE), examining how AI enhances our...
In contemporary popular concepts concerning the development of artificial intelligence, it is assumed that if a program/model provides answers or operates in a manner similar to humans, then it can be considered to have achieved human-level capability. Unfortunately, such criteria are far from definitional precision, making it challenging to unequivocally determine this "human level" of...
The following essay evaluates the concept of the trace within extended mind (EM) theory. It begins by differentiating Andy Clark’s complementarity from several competing models. Second, it demonstrates how an undeveloped concept of the trace arises in Clark’s debate with internalist critics. In response, I introduce Paul Ricoeur’s metaphor of the imprint in Memory, History, Forgetting. Fourth,...
We ordinarily think of the mind as private, “inside,” and accessible only to the person whose mind it is, and that the integrity of the mind is threatened by “outside” intervention. The prospect that neurotechnologies could be developed that are able to “read” our brains and directly manipulate our thoughts and feelings is, therefore, alarming to many. Implicit behind this sense of alarm is the...
Breathing meditation typically consists of directing attention toward breathing and redirecting attention when the mind wanders. As yet, we do not have a full understanding of the neural mechanisms of breath attention, in particular, how large-scale network interactions may be different between breath attention and rest and how these interactions may be modulated during periods of on-task and...
Current evidence-based therapies considered efficacious for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) include Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), and medication treatments. Hypnosis, one of the first mind-body therapies known to Western medicine, has been used for mind-body problems such as conversion reactions,...
Introduction Health is a multidimensional phenomenon encompassing physical, mental, and social well-being, all of which are deeply interconnected. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of mental and social health, as rates of loneliness, depression, and anxiety surged. Mindfulness practices, such as Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya (SMK), have gained attention for their potential to enhance...
This paper explores the challenges that appear to emerge with the continuous everyday use of wearable devices for physical activity tracking. With self-tracking becoming one of the leading fitness trends over the last few years, the effects these devices have on the user warrant further investigation. Based on theories of the extended embodied self (Fuchs, 2018) and the extended mind (Clark &...
Melange, or spice as it is also known, is an ingredient in Frank Herbert's novel Dune. It symbolizes the infinite possibilities of the human mind, as it is a source of knowledge and power. Both addictive and mind-altering, for the people of Arrakis, its source place, the spice is the basis of their lives and the cornerstone of their daily rituals. Due to its effect, the traditional lifespan is...
Abstract Phenomenal Contrast Arguments (PCAs) are a prominent method in philosophy of mind for, among other uses, investigating how specific mental features shape the phenomenal character of experience. This paper identifies a general and underexplored obstacle to the success of PCAs: The necessity of demonstrating that the contrasts employed in these arguments are genuinely phenomenal, rather...