Brain-Computer Interfaces and the Philosophy of Mind and Action

How can brain-computer interfaces enhance our understanding of human agency and mentality? By exploring how these interfaces enable people to perform intentional actions seemingly merely with their thoughts, Drosselmeier delves into three core metaphysical issues in the philosophy of mind: agency, mental causation, and the mind-brain relationship.

He argues that brain-computer interfaces provide a unique perspective on these issues, demonstrating both the irreducible higher-level nature of human thought and action, and their continuity with lower-level scientific phenomena. This dual perspective helps bridge the apparent gap between our commonsense psychological understanding of mind and action and a scientific worldview.

The relevance of this work extends beyond theoretical philosophy, providing practical implications for the development and ethical considerations of emerging neurotechnologies. This publication is essential for scholars and researchers in philosophy, cognitive science, and neuroscience, offering a comprehensive framework that integrates philosophical inquiry with cutting-edge scientific advancements.

Sebastian Drosselmeier, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany.