The Neuro-technological Cerebral Subject: Persistence of Implicit and Explicit Gender Norms in a Network of Change

Author(s)

Sigrid Schmitz

Abstract

Under the realm of neurocultures the concept of the cerebral subject emerges as the central category to define the self, socio-cultural interaction and behaviour. The brain is the reference for explaining cognitive processes and behaviour but at the same time the plastic brain is situated in current paradigms of (self)optimization on the market of meritocracy by means of neurotechnologies. This paper explores whether neurotechnological apparatuses may-due to their hybridity and malleability-bear potentials for a change in gender based attributions that have been historically legitimized by apparently natural differences between women and men. Or, in contrast, which gendered ascriptions are (again) produced in theories and applications according to the normative demands for the bio-techno-social cerebral subject situated in neoliberal power relations. An exploration of three main fields of current developments, the neurotechnological apparatus of brain-computer-interfaces, the technologies for brain tuning and the discourses in neuroeconomics, reveals first insights on these gender aspects in reliance with the ethical/political debate. Moreover, this paper concretizes questions for further research on gender and ethical aspects in the field of neurotechnologies.

Organisation(s)

Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology

Journal

Neuroethics

Volume

5

Pages

261-274

No. of pages

14

ISSN

1874-5490

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12152-011-9129-1

Publication date

2012

Peer reviewed

Yes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

106004 Bioethics, 301401 Brain research, 504 Sociology

Portal url

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/38657599-c137-42df-9bea-2f7cd0a2c5ac