By: Karina Vold
Level of Difficulty:
**
LISTEN, HIGHLIGHT AND
TAKE NOTES
Click on the icon to
the left of your screen to listen to the text. As you listen, make sure to
highlight the important points and/or take notes
QUESTIONS
1.
What makes the aftermath of the story of the
gunman disturbing?
2.
The current capabilities of smartphones lead to
the possible conclusion that…
3.
The
underlying logic of the view that smartphones and similar gadgets are part of
us is that …
4.
Why are the views of Descartes and Locke no
longer viable?
5.
Refer back to question three. What conclusion
can we draw concerning our identity?
6.
Given our current laws concerning privacy, it
now makes sense to…
7.
The extended mind thesis has implications after
death too because the argument could be made that…
8.
What is the implication of the extended mind
theory as far as the law is concerned?
9.
What conclusion can be drawn from the paragraph
beginning “The extended mind…” and the paragraph beginning “The courts…”?
10.
If the theory of the extended mind is carried through
to its logical conclusion, we would have to agree that…
WRITING TASK
Write an argumentative essay in which you discuss to what
extent you agree with the extended mind theory.
ARE YOU JUST INSIDE
YOUR SKIN OR IS YOUR SMARTPHONE PART OF YOU? KEY AND TEACHERS’ NOTES
This cleverly written
essay raises some novel questions concerning privacy and as such, is very
thought provoking. It will be interesting to see what the young generation
feels about the arguments put forward. A little help might be necessary with
the writing task. This task can be easily done in class or as a self study
exercise unlike some other tasks on the blog.
1.
The police used a corpse to break into someone’s
digital afterlife
2.
Given the role they play in our lives, our
devices deserve the same protections as our brains and bodies
3.
They augment and extend our minds by increasing
our cognitive power and freeing up internal resources
4.
Because now the private realm of thought
coincides with activity in the brain
5.
We are essentially cyborgs
6.
Push the boundaries of mental privacy outwards
to give our cyborg anatomy the same protections as our brains
7.
Our digital devices should be handled as remains
8.
If cognition encompasses devices then arguably
they should be subject to the same prohibitions
9.
The concept of personal rights and freedoms that
guides our legal institutions is outdated.
10.
Even simple technologies such as pens and pencils
would merit recognition and protection as part of the essential toolkit of the
mind.
