If morality can be ensured by a neural implant, would you consider it?

[Braznor]

Say in the future, a neural implant can make people moral. This miraculous device can ensure anyone implanted with one will never even consider the thought, much less deeds involving selfishness, wicked or even insane. Then should such a device be made mandatory for all people in a society or even a limited subset? Do you consider the use of this device itself to be moral? Or is freewill or even the illusion of it is essential for us to remain human i.e. with this device, we might very well become machines?

Vote and give your reasons.

Edit: From the few posts below, assume a consensus on morality can be achieved as per the individual society in the form of a constitution, a religious book etc.

 

[IronWing]

Whose morality would be inserted?

 

[NikolaeVarius]

Doesn't make sense because morality doesn't have a definition.

 

[IronWing]

Doesn't make sense because morality doesn't have a definition.

It would once you got the chip.

 

[Majes]

I would vote no...
I would hesitate to let anything make decisions for me. But how could we possibly program a machine to make moral decisions when we as humans are still defining morality?

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

People are already moral in the sense that they are moral agents with moral beliefs. Everyone just has their own morality.

 

[DrPizza]

Your position - "This miraculous device can ensure anyone implanted with one will never even consider the thought, much less deeds involving selfishness," is... I don't even know how to put it in words, except to say that such a device would backfire and destroy society.

 

[glenn1]

The people who "need" something like this the most typically aren't acting based on moral factors or selfishness. A schizophrenic or psychopathic person who would commit atrocities often think what they're doing IS moral or even commendable (e.g. God told me to kill the martian on the corner) and would pass the police at elbow test.

 

[jlee]

Say in the future, a neural implant can make people moral. This miraculous device can ensure anyone implanted with one will never even consider the thought, much less deeds involving selfishness, wicked or even insane. Then should such a device be made mandatory for all people in a society or even a limited subset? Do you consider the use of this device itself to be moral? Or is freewill or even the illusion of it is essential for us to remain human i.e. with this device, we might very well become machines?

Vote and give your reasons.

Edit: From the few posts below, assume a consensus on morality can be achieved as per the individual society in the form of a constitution, a religious book etc.

fuck. that.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Bad idea.

 

[BurnItDwn]

A device like that should only be mandatory for people who are in a position of power over others. For example, politicians, managers, supervisors, investors, etc. So, it will never happen.

 

[gorcorps]

No, because morality isn't universal. Plus you can't define what is selfish. If I want more money to provide a better life for my family, am I selfish because that means a better life for me as well, or is it noble because I'm trying to do right by my family?

The question falls apart because nothing you describe is black or white, it's all interpretation.

 

[master_shake_]

morality can not be legislated and can not be forced.

stupid hypothesis is stupid.

 

[Jaskalas]

If you could remove a person's humanity to instill "morality".
Don't we call that a lobotomy? Already available as an "option".

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Yes. Resistance is futile.

 

[master_shake_]

where is the i'm a raging moron option?

 

[Slew Foot]

as long as i get to determine what morality is and dont have to wearvone myself

 

[Jeff7]

Your position - "This miraculous device can ensure anyone implanted with one will never even consider the thought, much less deeds involving selfishness," is... I don't even know how to put it in words, except to say that such a device would backfire and destroy society.

It might at least result in a new one afterward. It's effectively new brain firmware. Format & reinstall.

Not that the current society would relish such a thought...



We generally value individual freedom of choice. Animals typically don't like to feel trapped, and we're no different.
Trying to take away that ability via a neural implant would likely cause some ancient instinct to freak out.

 

[jackstar7]

The recipe for a perfectly cromulent clockwork orange.

 

[NetWareHead]

Have you seen Clockwork Orange? The main character is brainwashed to acheive an effect much like you describe and he suffers at the hands of everyone around him as they take advantage of him.

 

[Zodiark1593]

Meh, a lobotomy is cheaper

 

[mnewsham]

fuck. that.

Yeah, what a fucking stupid idea.

 

[IronWing]

assume a consensus on morality can be achieved

That's more far fetched than the insert.

 

[Ruptga]

Here's another vote for that being a terrible idea. On the other hand I'd sign up for a hivemind, as long as a majority of the people I'm joining aren't idiots.

 

[DrPizza]

No, because morality isn't universal. Plus you can't define what is selfish. If I want more money to provide a better life for my family, am I selfish because that means a better life for me as well, or is it noble because I'm trying to do right by my family?

The question falls apart because nothing you describe is black or white, it's all interpretation.

Don't worry - as soon as a legitimate charity comes to your door and points out that some poor children in some other country don't have as much money or food as your family, you'll give the excess money away. To not even the playing field and have a financial advantage over those poor people would be being selfish.