Date December 16, 2024- December 17, 2024
Location Istanbul, Kadir Has University
A Multidisciplinary View of Neurotechnologies
Istanbul, Kadir Has University, 16-17 December 2024, 10:00-19:00
The term neurotechnology refers to a wide range of devices and systems that interact with the nervous system or record or interfere with neural activity. These technologies have been used for decades in the medical field for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. However, recent developments show that neurotechnologies have the potential to be used in various areas of social life, suggesting that the presence of these technologies will extend beyond certain sectors.
First of all, these technologies have great potential to enhance human capabilities, both physically and cognitively. Scientific and commercial efforts to make neurotechnologies accessible are steadily increasing. This trend may lead to a future where the meaning of being ‘normal’ is changed by the widespread use of neurotechnologies. On the other hand, there are also increasing concerns that neurotechnologies can be used to monitor and manipulate brain activity. These concerns were first voiced in the late 1960s, but at that time the discussions were based more on hypothetical claims and popular beliefs, not on solid scientific findings. Today, we are witnessing intensive scientific studies investigating the capacity of neurotechnologies to “read moods” (not yet “read minds”) and manipulate social behavior. Therefore, concerns about the possibility that neurotechnologies may threaten a social order based on democratic principles have more solid grounds.
Should we view the widespread use of neurotechnologies as a threat or a blessing to human social organization? This conference aims to create a platform for discussion on the pros and cons of neurotechnologies, opening up space for a multidisciplinary dialogue. A non-exhaustive list of topics that experts will address in various panels and keynotes is as follows:
Neurotechnologies and Human Will : What is the potential of neurotechnologies to change people's sense of self-identity?
Neurotechnologies and Diseases/Disability : What is the potential for neurotechnologies to overcome nervous system disorders, disabilities, and neurological diseases?
Neurotechnologies and Human Rights : Do advances in neurotechnologies pose an unprecedented threat to fundamental rights and freedoms?
Neurotechnologies and Law : What challenges do developments in neurotechnologies pose to legal systems?
Neurotechnologies and Social Equity : Will neurotechnologies be accessible to all and function without bias?
*The event language is English, simultaneous translation into Turkish will be provided.
Confirmed Speakers:
Allan McCay (University of Sydney)
Joan Camprodon-Gimenez (Harvard Medical School)
Guven Guzeldere
Jose M. Munoz (UC Berkeley)
Albert Ali Salah (Utrecht University)
Inci Ayhan (Boğaziçi University)
Emre Adıgüzel (Ankara Bilkent City Hospital)
Turker Sahiner (Memorial Sisli Hospital)
Hakan Karaş (Istanbul Gelisim University)
Eylem Canaslan (Groeningen University / Kırklareli University)
Elif Kuzeci (Bilkent University)
Aslı Demirtaş Tatlıdede (Bahçeşehir University)
Ozan Erözden (Kadir Has University)