Virtual Human Beings and the Future of Rights: Ethical Considerations in a Digitally Enhanced World

ABSTRACT: The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into various aspects of human life and the hypothetical ability to transfer human consciousness into machines prompts a profound reevaluation of human value and the foundations of our rights. This paper explores the philosophical implications of such technologies, questioning the criteria by which we ascribe value and rights to beings, whether embodied in flesh or silicon. It delves into the potential of merging human consciousness with advanced AI systems to create entities with both human and artificial capabilities, introducing a new category of being that challenges our traditional concepts of personhood, value, and rights. This inquiry is accentuated by the rapid pace of AI development and its increasingly sophisticated applications, leading to a discussion on the source of human value, the practical implications for the future of human rights, and the ethical considerations of creating societies of "superior virtual humans." The paper argues for a broad and inclusive understanding of personhood and rights that could extend to virtual humans, challenging traditional notions and inviting a future where rights are grounded in the qualities that constitute moral personhood beyond mere biological existence. It navigates through utilitarian, deontological, and virtue ethics perspectives, debates on mind-body dualism, and the scenario of virtual humans to illuminate the complexities of defining personhood and rights in a world where the boundaries between human and machine, mind and body, are increasingly blurred. The exploration is critical for ensuring that advancements in technology are matched by our ethical and philosophical understanding, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and the spectrum of the human condition in reimagining personhood, value, and rights in the age of AI.

KEYWORDS: virtual human beings, artificial intelligence ethics,  digital personhood, human rights, digital age