Neurotecnologie e tutela dell’integrità psichica. Profili filosofico-giuridici di un mutamento in atto

The neurotechnological devices that are in use today are no longer only directed to monitoring brain activity. They are used both to intervene on brain activity in order to modify it and to decode it in order to transform it into usable and reproducible signals. The new kind of man-machine connection that has been created, based on electro brain activity, is going to have a deep impact on legal categories. This paper focuses on the notion of mental integrity and the changing of its semantic field. The current debate on personal identity and autonomy of Deep Brain Stimulation patients provides the guiding thread. The possible philosophical background of the issues at stake is outlined in the conclusion.