Possible Bioethics: Possible Bioethics: Reconstructed Reconstructed

Humans & BuddhismHumans & BuddhismSusantha GoonatilakeSusantha Goonatilake

Author: Author: Merged Evolution: the Merged Evolution: the Long Term Implications of Long Term Implications of

Information Technology and Information Technology and BiotechnologyBiotechnology (Gordon and (Gordon and

Breach)Breach)

Introduction to some Introduction to some coming issuescoming issues

Imagine this. Waking from a coma, a Imagine this. Waking from a coma, a man learns that his twin brother has man learns that his twin brother has been killed in the same car accident been killed in the same car accident that destroyed his own face. Yet, the that destroyed his own face. Yet, the image he sees in the mirror is image he sees in the mirror is familiar -- a face transplant from his familiar -- a face transplant from his dead twin has meant he can dead twin has meant he can continue a normal life but with his continue a normal life but with his deceased brother's features. deceased brother's features.

Introduction to some Introduction to some coming issuescoming issues

Or this: Completely paralyzed by a Or this: Completely paralyzed by a degenerative neural disease, a mentally degenerative neural disease, a mentally alert woman becomes a prisoner in a alert woman becomes a prisoner in a lifeless body. Then doctors install lifeless body. Then doctors install "neural prosthetics" that translate her "neural prosthetics" that translate her brain waves into letters of the alphabet brain waves into letters of the alphabet -- she thinks "move left index finger" -- she thinks "move left index finger" and the implant translates that thought and the implant translates that thought to the letter "A" which flashes on a to the letter "A" which flashes on a computer screen. Soon the woman is computer screen. Soon the woman is "speaking" freely, again able to "speaking" freely, again able to communicate. communicate.

Introduction to some Introduction to some coming issuescoming issues

Or this: An immune deficiency Or this: An immune deficiency leaves an infant defenseless leaves an infant defenseless against infection. The prognosis against infection. The prognosis is grim until doctors inject a is grim until doctors inject a molecular-sized robot that alters molecular-sized robot that alters the child's genetic makeup so the child's genetic makeup so that she is practically that she is practically invulnerable to illness. invulnerable to illness.

Introduction to some Introduction to some coming issuescoming issues

If these medical breakthroughs If these medical breakthroughs seem distant, they shouldn't. seem distant, they shouldn't.

The first two are possible today The first two are possible today and the third might not be so far and the third might not be so far off. off.

Introduction to some Introduction to some coming issuescoming issues

Conventional Western thinking Conventional Western thinking has always considered medicine a has always considered medicine a tool for improving human health tool for improving human health -- finding miracles to fight -- finding miracles to fight cancer, heal the lame and restore cancer, heal the lame and restore wellness, and so on. But what if wellness, and so on. But what if today's technical leaps can do today's technical leaps can do more? more?

Introduction to some Introduction to some coming issuescoming issues

What if this new technology could What if this new technology could be harnessed to increase brain be harnessed to increase brain power, promote athleticism, power, promote athleticism, increase lifespan? increase lifespan?

Many think so -- and they imagine Many think so -- and they imagine a day when human biology and a day when human biology and modern technology combine to modern technology combine to radically improve the human radically improve the human form.form.

The Science and The Science and Technology for thisTechnology for this

This could be done through, gene This could be done through, gene therapy, proteonomics, tissue therapy, proteonomics, tissue engineering, stem cell therapy, engineering, stem cell therapy, neural prosthetics and soon neural prosthetics and soon nano-technology.nano-technology.

Major New Report by the Major New Report by the USUS

The convergence of The convergence of nanotechnologynanotechnology, , bioengineeringbioengineering, information sciences and , information sciences and cognitive research has created a vast cognitive research has created a vast opportunity to opportunity to enhance enhance human human performance, says a major new performance, says a major new reportreport issued by the issued by the United States Department of CommerceUnited States Department of Commerce and and the the National Science FoundationNational Science Foundation. Many of . Many of the US's top scientists, academics, 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 impact of emerging technologiesemerging technologies.   .  

Converging TechnologiesConverging Technologies Converging TechnologiesConverging Technologies

for Improving Human for Improving Human Performance:Performance:

Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology and Information Technology and Cognitive ScienceCognitive Science

Biotechnology Reshapes Biotechnology Reshapes Biotechnology would reshape and Biotechnology would reshape and

reformulate among others, life, reformulate among others, life, death, health and beauty. death, health and beauty.

The ethical as well as esthetic The ethical as well as esthetic criteria on which these are decided criteria on which these are decided upon are deeply culture bound upon are deeply culture bound

If debated within the Asian If debated within the Asian region's different cultural region's different cultural traditions would give different traditions would give different answers from those of the West. answers from those of the West.

Constructing and Constructing and reconstructingreconstructing

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

Ethical theory for new Ethical theory for new technologiestechnologies

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

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

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

Deep questionsDeep questions Deep questions are raised by Deep questions are raised by

these coming developments.these coming developments. The ethics on which these issues The ethics on which these issues

have been hitherto discussed are have been hitherto discussed are Western ones, Asian ideas for Western ones, Asian ideas for example have not influenced this example have not influenced this debatedebate..

UrgentUrgent challenges challenges Deep questions that challenge Deep questions that challenge

existing ethical systems are raised existing 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” The ethical system being “revealed” and to be “God’s word”. and to 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 cloning and in the future, artificial genes and artificial chromosomes and genes and artificial chromosomes and non biologically augmented humans non biologically augmented humans thru say AI implants challenge some thru say AI implants challenge some of these ethical assumptions.of these ethical assumptions.

UrgentUrgent challenges challenges Many such challenges rest on what it Many such challenges rest on what it

is to be a person and the nature of the is to be a person and the nature of the selfself

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

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

Continuous change of the self Continuous change of the self and the person is the condition and the person is the condition of the emerging humanof the emerging human

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

Core Buddhist approachesCore Buddhist approaches

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

Central Buddhist positionCentral Buddhist position Both the human person, including his Both the human person, including his

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

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

DisclaimerDisclaimer

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

““Religion”, “Philosophy”, Religion”, “Philosophy”, “Science”: Asian and West“Science”: 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 Asian - say Buddhist - from a 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 systems formally divide themselves to two levels, namely:themselves to two levels, namely:

““Conventional” beliefs and Conventional” beliefs and practices practices Sammuthi SathyaSammuthi Sathya (for (for the ordinary believer)the ordinary believer)

““Higher”, philosophical Higher”, philosophical knowledge knowledge ParamarthaParamartha SathyaSathya (for higher practitioners)(for higher practitioners)

South Asian and Judeo South Asian and Judeo Christian systems differChristian systems differ

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

Western religions are firstly Western religions are firstly

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

Buddhism observational Buddhism observational and prevailing conceptsand prevailing concepts

Buddhism has strong observational Buddhism has strong observational elements but it brings as well, the elements but it brings as well, the prevailing conceptual furniture of its time prevailing conceptual furniture of its time like gods, rebirth, etc. like gods, rebirth, etc. The two can be The two can be separated.separated.

A parallel could be with Newton who A parallel could be with Newton who brought in observational factors in his brought in observational factors in his physics while at the same time believing physics while at the same time believing in the conceptual furniture of his time in the conceptual furniture of his time shown in his writings on God. shown in his writings on God. The two The two can be separated.can be separated.

Buddhist observationBuddhist observation In its observational side Buddhism In its observational side Buddhism

has a strong program which includes has a strong program which includes many injunctions paralleling those of many injunctions paralleling those of sciencescience

For example a charter on free For example a charter on free enquiry and skepticism as discussed enquiry and skepticism as discussed in the in the Kalama SuttaKalama Sutta and in the and in the slogan slogan Ehi PassikoEhi Passiko “Come and see” “Come and see”

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

““Anicca”Anicca” and “ and “Anathma”Anathma” MeaningMeaning “Impermanence and “Impermanence and

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

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

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 Buddhism is unique in the

philosophies of the world that it denies philosophies of the world that it denies the existence of a self or a soul. the existence 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 Breaks down physical and mental

factors of the person into changing factors of the person into changing components components

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

Buddhist deconstruction of selfBuddhist deconstruction of self[Contd.][Contd.]

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

A disciple of the Buddha elaborated A disciple of the Buddha elaborated further that what one calls further that what one calls 'I AM'I AM' is: ' is: "neither matter, sensation, perception, "neither matter, sensation, perception, mental formations nor consciousness"mental formations nor 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 All are in a state of perpetual becoming. All phenomena are but becoming. All phenomena are but fleeting strings and chains of fleeting strings and chains of events. events.

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

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

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

“ “Life is a stream (Life is a stream (sotasota), an ), an unbroken succession of unbroken succession of aggregates. There is no temporal aggregates. There is no temporal or spatial break or pause in this or spatial break or pause in this life continuity. This continuity is 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 This analysis is partly arrived at from observing the innermost subjectively felt inside observing the innermost subjectively felt inside a person.a person.

One of the objectives of Buddhist mental One of the objectives of Buddhist mental

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

From within our own innermost subjectivity, From within our own innermost subjectivity, the problem of identity and of an abiding "I" is the problem of identity and of an abiding "I" is shown to be a false oneshown to be 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 raised by new technologies on identity are seen differently. are seen differently.

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

Buddhist Deconstruction and Buddhist Deconstruction and New TechnologiesNew Technologies

Living things, complained Rifkin “are Living things, complained Rifkin “are

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

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

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

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

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

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

Angst and FearAngst and Fear But such a perspective makes But such a perspective makes

one squeamish. Raises fright, one squeamish. Raises fright, alarm and even disgust. One alarm and even disgust. One would not mind, a set of false would not mind, a set of false teeth, even an implanted one, a teeth, even an implanted one, a prosthesis for one's limbs say, a prosthesis for one's limbs say, a walking stick or for that matter walking stick or for that matter even a motorized electronically even a motorized electronically controlled one. controlled one.

Angst and Fear …Angst and Fear … But messing up one's interiority, But messing up one's interiority,

ones subjectivity, evokes an ones subjectivity, evokes an entirely different order of entirely different order of emotions. The aliens taking over emotions. The aliens taking over minds, raises different feelings, minds, raises different feelings, of one's own consciousness being of one's own consciousness being invaded. It is after all, putting invaded. It is after all, putting doubt on one's own subjectively-doubt on one's own subjectively-felt oneness that is at stake. felt oneness that is at stake.

Angst and Fear NormalAngst and Fear Normal But in such instances, the But in such instances, the

Buddha himself had been very Buddha himself had been very firm, rejecting the views of firm, rejecting the views of persons who take the thing persons who take the thing called the 'mind' or called the 'mind' or 'consciousness' to be an 'consciousness' to be an unchanging substance.unchanging substance.

Angst and Fear NormalAngst and Fear Normal In that case it was better the Buddha In that case it was better the Buddha

argued, for a person to take the argued, for a person to take the physical body as an unchanging physical body as an unchanging 'self', rather than thought, mind or 'self', rather than thought, mind or consciousness, because the body was consciousness, because the body was at least more solid in appearance at least more solid in appearance than the mental, which are than the mental, which are ephemeral and continually change ephemeral and continually change and so are hardly candidate for and so are hardly candidate for permanencypermanency

Demystifying InteriorityDemystifying Interiority Buddhist psychology demystifies Buddhist psychology demystifies

interiority and consciousness into interiority and consciousness into mundane components. mundane 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, coming, the going, the passing away, the arising, the growth, the increase or the arising, the growth, the increase or development of consciousness apart development of consciousness apart from body, sensation, perception and from body, sensation, perception and volitional formations, he would be volitional formations, he would be speaking about something which does speaking about something which does not exist” – the Buddhanot exist” – the Buddha

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 technologies that remake us biologically and culturally, in an internal sense is and culturally, in an internal sense is disturbing. It challenges our sense of disturbing. It challenges our sense of self. self.

"This idea that I may not be, I may not "This idea that I may not be, I may not have, is frightening to the uninstructed" have, is frightening to the uninstructed" as the Buddha himself put it. as the Buddha himself put it.

And, as the belief in an abiding self is And, as the belief in an abiding self is deep rooted in humans, the contrary deep rooted in humans, the contrary position is 'against the current' as the position is 'against the current' as the Buddhist texts say on one other occasionBuddhist texts say on one other occasion

Facing constructed Facing constructed humanityhumanity

If then in the coming future, it is If then in the coming future, it is inevitable that we be constructed and inevitable that we be constructed and reconstructed, from biotechnology, reconstructed, from biotechnology, nanotechnology and IT, what should be nanotechnology 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 If "we" would then be cyborgs and hybrids, what should the interiority of hybrids, what should the interiority of robots, of constructed hybrids be, as they robots, of constructed hybrids be, as they navigate reality, and tunnel through time navigate reality, and tunnel through time subjectively subjectively

Inside constructed Inside constructed humanityhumanity

The person is not a ‘what’, but a The person is not a ‘what’, but a process. Being is only a snap shot in process. Being is only a snap shot in the process of becoming, lasting only the process of becoming, lasting only the length of one thought. the length of one thought.

"Just as a chariot wheel in rolling, rolls "Just as a chariot wheel in rolling, rolls only at one point of the tire, and in only at one point of the tire, and in resting rests only at one point; in resting rests only at one point; in exactly the same way, the [internal] exactly the same way, the [internal] life of a living being lasts only for the life of a living being lasts only for the period of one thought. As soon as that period of one thought. As soon as that thought has ceased, the being is said thought has ceased, the being is said to have ceased”.to have ceased”.

Inside constructed Inside constructed humanityhumanity

There is no stable sub stratum to be There is no stable sub stratum to be considered the self. It just symbolizes a considered the self. It just symbolizes a stream of physical and psychological stream of physical and psychological phenomena that is perishing. This is the phenomena that is perishing. This is the correct view to be internalized in the correct view to be internalized in the inevitable day of the cyborg. As the inevitable day of the cyborg. As the Vissudhi Vissudhi MaggaMagga 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 One analyses oneself, knows oneself only to

realize that there is no self in the first place. This realize that there is no self in the first place. This is not an intellectual knowledge but an is not an intellectual knowledge but an internally observed, felt knowledge. This internally observed, felt knowledge. This elimination of the sense of self sets one free in elimination of the sense of self sets one free in Buddhism. This is the highest ethical goal in Buddhism. This is the highest ethical goal in Buddhism. When the realization dawns that I am Buddhism. When the realization dawns that I am not a thing but a process, then the future not a thing but a process, then the future becomes open ended. Buddhism is self-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 Which is: the internal realization

that their is no “I”. that their is no “I”. That seen within, one is only a That seen within, one is only a

processprocess

Buddhist Constructed Buddhist Constructed Humanity? Humanity?

Those who are constructing a new Those who are constructing a new biotechnological humanity may not biotechnological humanity may not know it, but they are foundationally know it, but they are foundationally BuddhistsBuddhists

In both perspectives the body and In both perspectives the body and mind are intertwined and changingmind are intertwined and changing

In both perspectives the body and In both perspectives the body and mind are not mystical but constructedmind are 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 Those who are constructing a new

technological humanity view their technological humanity view their phenomena from the outside, as objects phenomena from the outside, as objects

Buddhists have analyzed partly Buddhists have analyzed partly subjectively, partly from within subjectively, 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 That is internalize being a robot, a cyborgcyborg

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

If all this sounds strange:If all this sounds strange:a parallel discussiona parallel discussion

The first major interaction between The first major interaction between Greek thought and Buddhist thought Greek thought and Buddhist thought on the nature of the person occurred on the nature of the person occurred in the third century BCin the third century BC

This was the dialogue between the This was the dialogue between the Geaco King Menander (Milinda) and Geaco King Menander (Milinda) and the Buddhist monk Nagasena as the Buddhist monk Nagasena as recorded in the Pali text recorded in the Pali text Milinda Milinda PannaPanna

Welcome to the Brave Welcome to the Brave New WorldNew World

It may have more in common with It may have more in common with early Asian thought than with early Asian thought than with contemporary European ones.contemporary European ones.

Thank you.Thank you.