The Hopkins chapter of The Triple Helix (TTH), a non-profit organization that publishes research journals written and edited by undergraduate students at universities around the world, hosted its fifth “science café” of the year in the Charles Commons Multipurpose Room on Tuesday. The cafés are designed to further the journal’s mission of bringing science to the public.
Helen Zhao, co-president of the Hopkins chapter, began the discussion with an introduction to the topic of Tuesday’s café, computers and human consciousness.
“The talk today concerns whether humans are able to upload their consciousness to computers and if so, what ramifications this might bear for our concept of personal identity and also whether such research you think should be morally permissible,” Zhao said.
Zhao cited a number of thinkers who had articulated arguments for and against the possibility of humans uploading their consciousness.
The discussion then shifted to focus on whether or not a consciousness uploaded to a computer could be considered analogous to the self. Zhao described Reid’s paradox and the paradox of teleportation in order to help examine the issue of personal identity.
“The second question we’ll consider: Is the consciousness in a computer truly me?” she said. “Why or why not, and what do you think this means for personal identity?... We have something called Reid’s paradox, which questions an understanding of personal identity as comprising memories... [and] another paradox that has to do with tele-transportation. These are just thought experiments to get you thinking about what it means to retain one’s personal identity and whether or not consciousness uploaded to a computer is even desirable.”
The third question, of whether research into the possibility of uploading a consciousness is potentially valuable and morally permissible, was also raised by attendees throughout the evening.
The group went on to debate whether computers have the power to hold consciousness and discussed how one might determine whether an object possesses consciousness. They also discussed whether a computer could have its own consciousness or could carry on the consciousness of a person who continued to live and form new memories. Attendees also debated the difference between consciousness and personal identity.
Leslie Sibener, co-president of the organization, said TTH’s goal is to provide a discussion space in which students can ponder the interactions between science and society.
“What sets TTH apart is that it is completely run by undergraduate students from over 20 different universities across the globe,” Sibener said. “Together, our members form a global forum for science in society. As a pioneering student-run organization for interdisciplinary discussion, TTH seeks to unite students of diverse intellectual interests through our dynamic publications, discussions and events.” Sibener also explained how the group’s science café events help to facilitate this goal. She expressed her hope that this event’s topic would engender an active and meaningful intellectual discussion. “Our science cafés are able to further our mission by facilitating lively debate over a topic chosen for its potential to engage students over a wide range of interests,” Sibener said. “Our questions this week center on the concept of uploading one’s mind into a computer and theoretically living forever. We hope to stimulate a lively discussion around this topic and debate its ramifications on humankind and the ethics on if such technology should exist.” What attracted Sibener to the group was the chance to engage in discussions that involved a number of her academic interests. Sibener praised TTH for its interdisciplinary nature and ability to bridge gaps.
“I became president of the JHU chapter of TTH two years ago,” Sibener said. “I am also the chief operations officer for the entire organization and have been for the past year. I was initially drawn to TTH because of its interdisciplinary nature. As a neuroscience and Writing Seminars double major, I was excited for the opportunity to write on topics that bridge the gap between science, society and politics.”
TTH, according to Sibener, makes a number of important contributions to life on the Homewood campus and beyond.
“TTH produces a journal once a year, Science in Society Review,” Sibener said. “In this publication, we have articles written and edited by students at JHU, as well as feature articles from TTH’s other chapters, highlights from TTH online publication and a spread on events held over the past year. Additionally, we hold smaller events, such as the science cafés. Guest speaker events have included Nobel Laureate Dr. Peter Agre, a panel discussion on Alzheimer’s Disease and a debate on the feasibility and ethical bounds of create a market for organ donation.”
According to Sibener, TTH is intended to help alter the disconnect between science and society both at Hopkins and throughout the world.
“Often the JHU community can be seen as divided between science- and humanities-oriented students,” she said. “This is not a hard and fast rule, but there is some truth behind it. TTH strives to bridge the gap between science and society and have both sides recognize the necessity for the other in the world at large. “This mission goes beyond the JHU campus, and spans the entire globe. Too often scientists, politicians and the general public are unable to understand and appreciate each other. This is something that must change... and TTH aims to do just that.”
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