Theological and ethical aspects of mind transfer in transhumanism

Abstract

Mind transfer is the most important concept of transhumanists. Its technological implementation is to copy and transfer the human mind to a computer, by exact mapping of all neural connections in the human brain and their precise copying in a computer simulation. The idea of mind transfer also brings some dangers, related to the denial of human nature, the placing of hopes for future life in digital spaces and the liberation from the limitations imposed on man by his biological structure. Transhumanists believe that in order to achieve mind transfer, various technologies defined by the acronym NBIC (Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology, Cognitive Science) currently available, should be used. The very dynamic development of these technologies in recent years, and in particular the latest AI (Artificial Intelligence) algorithms seem to be very fast approaching the moment when practical mind transfer will be possible. The paper contains a very brief description of these technical capabilities with the necessary short commentary on their ethical aspects.