Dopierten

Dopierten is a neologistic concept used in speculative discussions to describe cognitive copies of an individual produced by a hypothetical process called Dopierung. A Dopierte, singular, is a self-contained copy that preserves core memories, personality traits, and decision patterns of the original, yet can act with independent agency in virtual or physical environments.

Origin and usage: The term arose in German-language speculative fiction and philosophical debates on identity in the early 21st century. It is used to examine questions of personhood, autonomy, and responsibility in scenarios of replication and distributed cognition.

Definition and models: Dopierten may be fully autonomous copies or tethered variants requiring synchronization with the original or other copies. Their legal status remains contested; proposals range from extended rights to conditional permissions. Some discussions distinguish between copies intended for collaboration and those designed for replacement or substitute roles.

Implementation concepts: Conceptual implementations involve advanced neuroemulation, persistent identity mapping, and secure provenance to ensure the copy reflects the original with high fidelity while allowing independent action. Technical and ethical safeguards are commonly proposed to prevent harm or coercion of the copies.

Applications and implications: Proposed uses include distributed research teams, remote exploration, disaster response, and long-duration missions where parallel cognitive labor is advantageous. The existence of Dopierten would raise profound questions about consent, autonomy, liability, and the rights of copies in society.

Ethical considerations: Debates emphasize consent, rights and protection of copies, risk of exploitation, and accountability for actions taken by copies. Critics warn of potential commodification of subjectivity and governance challenges in parallel decision-making.

See also: Digital twin, mind uploading, cloning, personhood.