Exploring Mind Uploading: The Intersection of Brain Lateralization
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Chapter 1: Understanding Consciousness and Mind Uploading
To begin, it's essential to clarify that I operate under the assumption that consciousness, along with self-awareness, emerges from the intricate connections and synaptic arrangements within the brain. In this view, consciousness is not an independent entity that functions outside of our neural framework.
The topic of mind uploading is both intriguing and, at times, contentious, provoking extensive research and debate over the years. For those who equate self-identity with the concept of a "soul," mind uploading appears to be a plausible avenue toward advanced human evolution. In contrast, individuals who adopt a materialist perspective—viewing consciousness strictly as a product of brain function—often regard mind uploading as largely unrealistic.
My goal here is to present an argument that supports the theoretical viability of mind uploading from a materialist standpoint.
Section 1.1: A Case Study in Brain Function
Let me introduce a story that illustrates my point. Christina Santhouse, an 8-year-old girl from Levittown, PA, was vibrant and full of life, but she faced a severe challenge: a rare neurological disorder known as Rasmussen’s encephalitis, which caused her to experience up to 150 seizures daily. This condition was ultimately life-threatening, leading to paralysis and death.
In a desperate bid for her survival, renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson proposed a radical solution: the removal of the affected hemisphere of her brain. After the operation, not only did Christina's health improve remarkably, but she also managed to lead a relatively normal life. Although she lost motor function on one side of her body, she pursued a degree in speech pathology at Misericordia University and is now happily married, 24 years later.
By now, you might wonder how this story relates to mind uploading. The crux of my hypothesis is that the success of Christina's post-surgery life sheds light on the possibility of achieving viable mind uploading through the principles of brain lateralization, or the specialization of brain function across its two hemispheres.
Section 1.2: The Concept of Brain Lateralization
Brain lateralization suggests that the human brain comprises two distinct hemispheres, each with specialized functions, often one hemisphere taking precedence over the other. In Christina's case, following the removal of her affected hemisphere, her remaining hemisphere adapted to take on the dominant role, allowing her to function effectively.
This brings us back to the discussion on mind uploading. For those unfamiliar, the primary challenge with mind uploading lies in ensuring that the uploaded consciousness is genuinely the same as the original, rather than merely a replica. The notion of "continuity dilemma" highlights that many mind uploading scenarios only preserve "functional continuity," meaning the information in the brain's synapses, rather than "physical continuity," which refers to the original brain itself.
The pressing question becomes: how can we maintain physical continuity while transferring functional continuity to an artificial brain?
Chapter 2: Theoretical Approaches to Mind Uploading
Here, brain lateralization comes into play. Let's entertain a theoretical scenario: imagine you are about to undergo surgery to remove one of your cerebral hemispheres. Before this procedure, you download the entire brain—both hemispheres—and either upload it into a synthetic hemisphere or condense it into a microchip for future use.
After the surgery, you awaken with one hemisphere removed. Like Christina, you may experience some loss of motor skills, but the operation is deemed successful. Over time, your remaining hemisphere becomes dominant, and once you recover, you are ready for the final phase: integrating the artificial hemisphere or implant with your biological hemisphere.
Two possible outcomes could occur:
- Your body rejects the artificial hemisphere or implant, rendering the operation a failure.
- Your body accepts the artificial hemisphere or implant, marking the operation a success.
If the first scenario occurs, the prospect of effectively uploading your mind while maintaining physical continuity is virtually nullified. However, if the second scenario unfolds, theoretically, the artificial hemisphere should become seamlessly integrated with your biological hemisphere, allowing you to function as a unified entity.
In this ideal outcome, not only would the artificial hemisphere restore any lost motor functions, but it would also ensure that by the time your biological hemisphere ceases to function, the artificial hemisphere has assumed dominance, thus achieving the upload of your consciousness while preserving your identity.
If you appreciate my analysis and wish to reach out for collaboration or inquiries, feel free to contact me.