Human...or a Ghost in the Shell?

The film Ghost in the Shell, directed by Mamoru Oshii and based on the manga by the same title, is a narrative that is both highly complex and representative of many of the questions humans pose about their existence. The film utilizes advanced technology and a futuristic setting to explore definitions of humanity. If computer programs become self-aware, retain memories, and replicate themselves, are they essentially human? On the other hand, if a human being has undergone modifications and exists within a cyborg body, or “shell,” are they still human? These and other questions posed by the film invite viewers to ponder their own existence and inclusion within humanity.

Ghost in the Shell contains many themes to explore. Gender roles are prominently featured, the separation between mind and body is explored, sentience and free will are displayed in the character of Project 2501, and methods for valid reproduction of life are discussed. Any of these or numerous other topics have enough merit for an independent narrative criticism on the topic. However, most of these themes fall under the umbrella of human nature. In fact, to define what constitutes human nature, one must discuss many of these themes. Sentience, independent thought, free will, a sense of mortality, and the ability to reproduce (not withstanding physical limitations), are some of the items that would be found on a list of what comprises a human. It should be noted that absent from this list is any physical characteristic as specific as biological limbs or original body parts. To this point, are people with artificial limbs or transplanted organs any less human than their all-natural peers? Would a cybernetic body, or shell, be any less human? From there, it does not take a huge leap to entertain the idea that a consciousness that began as a software program could grow to possess all of the characteristics of a human being, other than the biological body. In a futuristic world where even humans are not in completely biological bodies, the lines of distinction become blurred.

The Ghost in the Shell explores humanity by equating several human themes to their cybernetic counterparts. DNA code is compared to lines of computer code, just as computer memory is compared to human memory. While human memory is prone to mistakes, errors in cyber-code can also result in faulty software. Reproduction of software is compared with human reproduction, and it is noted that human reproduction offers an advantage because the unique blending of two sets of DNA code decreases the chance of errors in code being replicated. This idea is reinforced when Kusanagi compares a copied cyborg body with a biological one and says that when you “overspecialize…you breed in weakness. It’s slow death.” In another comparison between humanity and artificial life, human intuition is set against logic. The character with only a slight artificial enhancement, Togusa, is respected for this distinctly human insight. He takes a different and sometimes unorthodox approach to detective work that produces unpredictable and unique results. The film promotes intuition and dual-parent reproduction as human benefits over artificial intelligence in answer to the question of humanity.

As these examples demonstrate, the Ghost in the Shell seeks to expound the value of humanity. It succeeds in doing so by pushing the boundaries of the human form and human experience. This film not only succeeds in urging people to question the meaning of their humanity, but provides cues toward seeking answers to that question.