Profiles
Joe Vukov
Title/s: Co-PI
Specialty Area: Specialty Area Goes Here
I teach a neuroethics class at Loyola and I have guest lectured in Bill’s classes. I’m part of a seminar series at Loyola that involves giving presentations about neuroethics. In one session, I asked, “Is doing things in virtual reality as valuable as doing them in real life? Or put differently, if someone was to live in virtual reality, would they be missing out?” We discussed that and then we talked about how surgeons are being trained to perform surgery in virtual reality (VR). So, the question became, “Do surgeons trained in VR miss anything that a surgeon trained in real life gets?” Most felt that training a doctor through VR might be a good substitute in some cases, but it's not as good as real-life experience. Then we started talking about brain-computer interfaces, the most famous one being Elon Musk’s Neuralink. I asked them if they thought brain computer interfaces will mostly help people live a fuller life? Or if they detract from a full and good human life? They thought there was some hope the interfaces could help people who are, for example, paralyzed. But when I asked them if any of them would ever sign up for Nueralink, they all said no. It’s a myth that young people trust technology and are comfortable with it. For the most part though, they were very pessimistic that brain computer interfaces or virtual reality contribute to a good life. What drew you to this project?
Can you describe what happened at an after-school session you held?
About
Joe Vukov’s primary responsibility for the Loyola Program for Neuroscience and Society is to infuse Loyola’s approach to neuroscience and neuroethics into the project. He is an associate professor of philosophy and the associate director of the Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage at Loyola University Chicago. He is a member of the AI Research Group for the Centre for Digital Culture in the Dicastery for Culture and Education of the Holy See. Vukov's research and classes examine the intersection of ethics, neuroscience, technology and philosophy of mind. He also studies the intersection of science and religion. He has published many papers and books about neuroethics. Loyola University Chicago has named Vukov a Sujack Master Teacher and honored him with the Provost’s Award for Excellence in Teaching Freshmen. Vukov is also the PI on the NEH-funded project, “Humanizing STEM Education: Navigating Future Challenges Through Integrated Instruction." Vukov regularly contributes to a variety of media outlets and serves as the Vice President of Philosophers in Jesuit Education.