A complete transcript of this podcast is available here:
\nhttps://engagedharma.net/2023/02/25/ghost-in-the-shell-dharma-dilemma-2/
\nLast week, I released the first episode and discussion of my favourite cyber punk film, Ghost in the Shell. In the first episode, I outlined the questions and existential dilemmas posed by the film, especially regarding the identity of its protagonist, the cyborg Motoko Kusanagi.
\nIn this second episode, I begin to address those issues and propose some possible answers. However, the arguments I present are not based on answering any of the questions pondred in episode 1. The main reason is that I don't think any of the questions posed in the first episode, which are those posed by the film, will ever have definitive answers. I believe that every one of those questions and possible answers will always be in dispute. I don't believe that science, philosophy, culture or religion can or will provide any definitive answers to these existential conundrums. There will always be a range of possible answers and ongoing disagreement and debate. Some of those questions will always be undecidable.
\nSo my arguments for the answers I propose are not based on deciding whether cyborgs like Kusanagi are human, partly human, or merely machines; whether cyborgs have consciousness, or selves, or souls. Rather, I am concerned with how cyborgs are understood and treated as 'beings', from a Buddhist perspective, whether truly human, cyborg or otherwise.
\nMusic featured in this episode is from my album, ‘Deep Dive’ https://shaunyata.bandcamp.com/album/deep-dive
\nTracks, in order as they appear in the podcast:
\nGhost 03:03
\nDeep Dive 04:43
\nCyborg Awakening 04:20
\nOn The Edge of Night 02:35
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