This blog post examines whether we should view these new beings born from full-brain uploading as human, or define them as entirely different lifeforms, reflecting on the meaning of identity and dignity shaken by technology.
Ghost in the Shell: An Innovative Worldview and an Exploration of Humanity’s Essence
Released in 1995, the animated film Ghost in the Shell profoundly influenced many sci-fi films with its original worldview and philosophical themes. The film depicts a society where the human body is fully mechanized, the brain is digitized, and all are connected via a network. In this society, people exchange information in real-time via the internet or satellites, enabling communication with others akin to telepathy. However, the film also reveals that this leads to various social problems: brain hacking, memory manipulation, distorted perceptions caused by others’ interference, and a lack of individuality.
The entity defining human identity is often referred to as the ‘soul’ or ‘spirit’. In Ghost in the Shell, “cyberization” refers to the process of digitizing the brain and backing up memories as data into a cyborg body—a combination of machinery and protein. Cyborgs with cyberbrains can also recognize their own identity. The film defines the fundamental entity of this identity as the ‘ghost’. The question of what the ghost is leads directly to the problem of how to define human identity and personality amidst the advancement of information technology.
The Meaning of the Film Title and the Essence of the Ghost
The word ‘shell’ included in the film’s title implies that not only the human body, but also cyborgs and machines, are external entities capable of housing a Ghost. In a hyper-networked society, crime also becomes more complex, giving rise to heinous crimes like ‘Ghost Hacking,’ where entities called Puppeteers infiltrate Ghosts to manipulate or alter personalities. The protagonist confronts the existence of the Puppeteer while grappling with doubts about their own identity, ultimately being reborn as a new being through fusion with the Ghost.
In the film, the Puppeteer represents a fully cyberized existence and is depicted as a symbol of a highly evolved self. The Puppeteer collects and learns from data within the network, pursuing a more advanced self. In this process, it proposes fusion with the Ghost to the protagonist, opening up new possibilities. The way a fully digitized being learns, evolves, and recognizes its identity blurs the boundary between human and machine.
Questions of Identity and Digitized Memory
The film explores the digitization and storability of the human mind, posing the question: “Is it possible to live forever by transferring one’s consciousness?” But when this digitized memory is transferred, can it truly be called the ‘me’ of today?
Human relationships are primarily recognized through the physical body, forming memories and experiences that connect us. If a replica appears identical and shares the same memories and behavioral patterns, others would perceive it as me. Whole-brain uploading converts memories and information into data for copying, making the replica superficially indistinguishable from the original. Yet, the Ghost’s existence plays a crucial role here.
In the film, while the body can be replaced by an android and memories can be backed up, the resurrection of the Ghost remains unattainable. The Puppeteer also demonstrates the ability to recognize and learn identity, showing signs of developing a self as an object.
Judgment on Transcended Beings
Whether transcended beings can be considered human or should be viewed as a new life form remains controversial. By existing lifeform standards, organisms are composed of cells, convert energy through metabolism, and undergo reproduction and evolution. However, fully digitized beings are entirely new entities difficult to judge by conventional measures.
When evaluating new beings, we consider both external form and internal characteristics. The same applies to fully digitized beings. While their appearance consists entirely of mechanical parts, questioning this is merely prejudice. Examples of mechanizing the human body—such as glasses, prosthetic limbs, and artificial hearts—are already commonplace. In light of these precedents, the external form of a fully brain-augmented being offers no grounds to deny its humanity.
Regarding internal characteristics, the relationship between the brain and the mind is central. Determining whether a fully brain-augmented being possesses a mind, emotions, or a soul currently lacks sufficient scientific basis. AI can make judgments and exhibit behaviors that appear emotional based on data, making it difficult to evaluate fully brain-transferred beings solely by their external actions.
Fully Brain-Transferred Beings as New Life Forms
Fully brain-transferred beings still leave many questions unanswered regarding both their external form and internal characteristics. Brain research necessary to clarify these internal characteristics remains in its early stages. However, what is crucial is that the dignity of every individual must be recognized in and of itself.
Full-brainization holds the potential to transcend human limitations, solve resource and food problems, and alter the concepts of space and time. Although its feasibility is low, its application value is boundless. The issue of evaluating and defining full-brainized beings will remain a significant topic of discussion.
