cognitive liberty

An evolving concept asserting the fundamental right of an individual to sovereignty over their own mind and consciousness. It extends the traditional right to “freedom of thought” to address challenges raised by neuroscience and technology — brain–computer interfaces that can read from or write to the brain, neuro-enhancements that alter memory or attention, and AI systems that can exploit cognitive biases, micro-target persuasion, or reconstruct thoughts from brain data. These developments raise pressing ethical and legal questions about mental privacy and manipulation. At its core, cognitive liberty protects the individual's control over their most private sphere — the mind — and is often described as a prerequisite for all other freedoms, since the ability to think freely underlies freedom of speech, belief, and action.

Related terms: brain–computer interface, artificial intelligence, telepathy, chilling effect