University of Twente Student Theses
A post-phenomenological assessment of the Neuralink BCI : Exploring how post-phenomenology can enable technological assessment
Ó'Brúdair, Donncha (2025) A post-phenomenological assessment of the Neuralink BCI : Exploring how post-phenomenology can enable technological assessment.
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| Abstract: | Neuralink is the most recent brain computer interface being developed which has recently begun human trials. Technologies can alter how we engage in the world, sometimes in ways we did not anticipate or intend, meaning Neuralink requires investigation to see how it will impact its user in this manner. In this thesis, I will investigate Neuralink using Don Ihde’s post-phenomenology to assess what it can reveal about this technology, and how it alters the manner in which users will perceive and engage with the world. While post-phenomenology has been used to analyse BCI’s more broadly by Richard Heersmink before, Neuralink demonstrates a significant technical advancement over these previous iterations of BCI technology, necessitating a fresh post-phenomenological investigation. This thesis will proceed as follows. First, brain computer interface technology more broadly will be explained. This will allow for Neuralink to be examined in-depth so that a precise understanding of the technology can be reached to understand what makes it similar or distinct from other BCI devices. This will allow for an accurate post-phenomenological analysis to proceed in the next chapter. There, Neuralink will be analysed in light of the six types of post-phenomenological relations as proposed by Don Ihde and Peter-Paul Verbeek in order to compile a compressive understanding of the manner in which it alters the user’s perception of the world. Finally, these insights will be discussed to ascertain what they can reveal regarding how users will interact with the world based on Neuralink’s design and what can be understood from this. Post-phenomenology is a descriptive rather than normative philosophical approach. Therefore, future research directions will be proposed through combining post-phenomenological mapping with the value sensitive design approach as proposed by Ibo van de Poel. This approach may enable values to be translated into tangible design requirements for the Neuralink and other devices based on insights gathered through post-phenomenology, but in a manner that can addresses weaknesses of this theory. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 08 philosophy |
| Programme: | Philosophy of Science, Technology and Society MSc (60024) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/105087 |
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