The Machiavellian Minds of the Transhumanists By Brian Simpson
As argued below, those supporting the abandonment of humanity via uploading into computers have a Machiavellian tendency, aiming for power and control. The aim is to overcome biological weakness to rule the world, if not universe, more ruthlessly than ever before.
“Why would a Machiavellian show support for mind uploading technology to gain digital immortality? A new study raises ethical questions about digital immortality, and why certain personality types are more compelled to advocate for this technology.
Results from a survey on people’s views on mind uploading technology suggest a correlation between those with Machiavellianist tendencies and the approval of such technology, highlighting the potential risks and ethics surrounding its immortal-like capabilities.
BACKGROUND: WHAT IS MACHIAVELLIANISM?
Machiavellianism is a personality trait that can be present in individuals and most often manifests itself in their ability to manipulate others to achieve their own goals without regard for the well-being of those around them. It can be said that those exhibiting Machiavellianist tendencies tend to be very charismatic. However, the trait itself is almost always referred to as a negative. The Mach-IV test, which is the most common test used to diagnose it, suggests that it is often grouped alongside narcissism, sociopathy, and depression.
Over time, mind uploading technology has inched closer and closer to a tangible reality that curious transhumanists will achieve rather than the wild property of science fiction. While James Cameron’s ultimate film Avatar may portray the concept alongside all of its futuristic tech and spiritual magic, developments are being made to take the fiction out of science fiction.
A notable and famous example includes Elon Musk’s Neuralink, which is adding increasingly more digital elements to the human brain through implants and allowing for more connections between it and a computer. Transhumanists, often advocates of such technology, see it as a way to finalize biological evolution by leaving all limitations and even death itself behind, achieving a state of digital immortality.
ANALYSIS: WHY WOULD A MACHIAVELLIAN WANT TO LIVE FOREVER?
Researchers at the Moralities of Intelligent Machines research group published a study surveying opinions on the use of mind uploading technology. They found a high rate of approval from both utilitarian-identifying people and those with Machiavellian behavior. It was performed to further the discussion on the ethical implications of the technology, as well as to push for more public debate about it.
Over a thousand people were surveyed for their perspectives on mind uploading, as well as asked to respond to ethical dilemmas and take a personality trait test. Despite attempts to control for a more utilitarian ideological presence, Machiavellianists still strongly approved of the technology. The study suggests that utilitarianism and Machiavellianism seem to support similar ideas, albeit for potentially different reasons. Machiavellians are less interested in the sacrifices which benefit the most people and more in possession of an uncaring perspective on human life. In contrast, individuals with more psychopathic personality traits had little correlation with acceptance of mind uploading tech.
Michael Laakasuo, one of the study’s authors and cognitive science professor, urges the scientific community at large to focus on the ethical and philosophical issues surrounding mind uploading technology while they still can- fearing another crisis could be looming otherwise. The study also recognized its limitations. It was a survey of only a little over a thousand people- all of whom were English-speaking academics and users of the Prolific survey platform, hardly an accurate representation of the general population. The study also intentionally refrained from surveying transhumanist identifying individuals, a group that would be highly likely to approve of mind uploading technology, and suggests it be replicated on this group in the future.”
The power mad are totally out of control.
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