Cyborgization in the context of the principle of equity, the right of selfdetermination and the principle of human dignity Cover Image

Cyborgizacja a zasada równości, prawo do samostanowienia o sobie oraz zasada godności
Cyborgization in the context of the principle of equity, the right of selfdetermination and the principle of human dignity

Author(s): Monika Łątka-Płachta
Subject(s): Constitutional Law, Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Health and medicine and law, ICT Information and Communications Technologies
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: self-determination; freedom; dignity; equality; cyborgization;

Summary/Abstract: Transhumanism seems to be a conglomeration of irreal ideas and assumptions. But even today in social life it is possible to observe some seedbeds of procedures coming within the sphere of understanding one of transhumanism’s methods – cyborgization, which means hybridity between human organic body and a machine in wide meaning. As an example, it is nothing improper to implant a pacemaker, and as well it is possible to use implant stimulating human senses. These examples fulfil, at least literally, the hereinabove definition of cyborgization. There is also a question, whether generation Z should be found a generation of cyborgs because of intensity of its existence both in real and virtual world. Despite many ideas involved in the concept of transhumanism, there are extropianism or even immortalism that are worth mentioning. Obvious as it is, cyborgization and other approved by transhumanism ideas, like mind uploading, bring to mind Zarathustra, Nietzsche and their ideas of overman. Such a background makes people think about acceptability of cyborgization and the scope of acceptable procedures in compliance with self-determination. It is tough to agree to total unacceptability of cyborgization in the context of Polish Constitution, but it is believable to imagine its bordering according to article 31 (3), so as to protect rights and liberty of other people, state safety and public peace from potential hazards of a cyborg. ‘Organic’ stands for the legally relevant feature – as they are understood by Polish Constitutional Tribunal. It is the basis for diversion of social groups, because it has great impact on social life. It inhibits or precludes competition between organic people or ‘organic cyborgs’ and higher cyborgs. Moreover, it must be said that cyborgization does not infringe human dignity, especially because of egalitarianism posited by transhumanism.

  • Issue Year: 2022
  • Issue No: 11
  • Page Range: 127-146
  • Page Count: 20
  • Language: Polish