The Computational Theory of Mind: Ethical and Philosophical Implications in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

The Computational Theory of Mind (CTM) posits that the human mind operates in ways analogous to a computer, processing information through symbolic representations and formal rules. With the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs), the scope and implications of CTM have broadened considerably. This paper examines the ethical and philosophical dilemmas associated with research on and applications of CTM, with particular attention to human enhancement, privacy, consent, moral responsibility, and free will. It also considers how CTM intersects with longstanding philosophical debates on consciousness and personal identity, while addressing challenges raised by alternative perspectives, such as embodied cognition. Rather than advancing a prescriptive stance, the paper argues for a balanced approach that seeks to leverage technological developments while safeguarding human values and identity in an increasingly AI-driven context. Smart citations: https://scite.ai/reports/10.61467/2007.1558.2026.v17i1.1245 Dimensions.Open Alex.