Bionic Technologies: The Future of Disability?

Bionics is the field of science that combines biology and technology. It has the potential to revolutionize the lives of people with disabilities by incorporating prosthetics and other bionic devices that can help people recover or improve their physical abilities. This can improve their quality of life and allow them to participate more fully in society.

The concept of the "cyborg body" refers to the integration of artificial components with the human body, blurring the boundaries between human and machine. This integration can have profound implications for our understanding of self and identity. However, it is important to note that claims that all humans are cyborgs may overlook the unique experiences of people with prosthetics.

The incorporation of a prosthesis can affect the identity of the user at different levels. These levels include body schema, agency, and ownership. The body schema refers to a system of sensory-motor abilities that work without awareness or need for perceptual tracking. It is a property of being able to feel and allows us to move properly in the world. The body schema is shaped by repeated experience and practice, and is fundamentally a system of bodily habits that can be developed as pragmatic or epistemic actions. It is an important aspect of individuality and identity, and its alteration can occur after amputation of one or more limbs. The concept of agency is related to the ability to act and make decisions, and is an important aspect of personality. The concept of ownership is related to the sense of possession and control over one's own body and its parts, including prosthetics, and is an important aspect of identity.

Reconstructing these levels can be challenging, especially when it comes to body schema, which involves perception. While technological advances and practice can contribute to the incorporation process, fully replicating the experience of a biological limb remains a complex task.

The theoretical approaches of the enactivist paradigm, the extended mind approach, semiotics, and phenomenology offer different perspectives on the understanding of human cognition, experience, and identity. Exploring the concept of the "cyborg body" allows us to contribute to these debates by examining the lived experiences of people with prosthetics and considering how technology shapes their sense of identity.

The increasing use of bionic prosthetics, such as bionic arms and legs, exoskeletons and retinal implants, challenges existing stereotypes towards people with physical disabilities. Traditionally, people with physical disabilities have been perceived as warm but incompetent, facing paternalistic stereotypes. However, the representation of people using bionic devices in the media and popular culture often emphasizes their competence, sometimes even surpassing that of people without disabilities.

The use of the label "cyborg" for individuals using bionic prostheses also influences perceptions. The technicality of bionic devices drives the labeling effect, exacerbating the perception of individuals as competent but cold or threatening. The depiction of modern high-tech prosthetics, which openly display their technological nature, challenges traditional notions of pity associated with physical disabilities. Instead, these devices signal competence, replacing the notion of incompetence typically associated with disabilities.

Representing people using bionic technologies as competent challenges existing stereotypes and can contribute to a more inclusive society. By highlighting the competency aspect of bionic prosthetics, these technologies have the potential to reshape public perception and reduce paternalistic stereotypes towards people with physical disabilities. In addition, the visibility and acceptance of bionic technologies as fashion accessories further promote inclusion and acceptance.

In conclusion, advances in bionic technologies have great potential to transform disabilities and lead to the evolution of human beings. By challenging stereotypes and emphasizing competition, these technologies have the potential to change societal perceptions toward people with physical disabilities and promote a more inclusive society.

In addition to the above, here are some other ways in which bionics can impact the future and evolution of humanity:

• Bionics can help us to better understand the human body and how it works. This knowledge can then be used to develop new treatments and therapies for a variety of medical conditions.
• Bionics can also help us to extend our lifespan and improve our quality of life. For example, bionic limbs can allow people with disabilities to live more independent and fulfilling lives.
• Bionics can also help us to explore the world in new and exciting ways. For example, bionic eyes could allow us to see in the dark, and bionic ears could allow us to hear sounds that are beyond the range of human hearing.

Overall, bionics has the potential to revolutionize the way we live and interact with the world. It is an exciting field of research with the potential to make a real difference in the lives of millions of people.