A '''brainBrain-computerComputer interfaceInterface''' (BCI) or '''directDirect neuralNeural interfaceInterface''' is literally a direct technological interface between a [[brain]] and a [[computer]] not requiring any motor output from the user. That is, neural impulses in the brain are intercepted and used to control an electronic device. This is a rather broad, ill-defined term used to describe many versions of conventional and theoretical interfaces. For purposes of this term, the word 'brain' is understood to imply the physical brain of an [[organism|organic life form]] and 'computer' is understood to imply a mechanical/technological processing/computational device. These semantic notations are crucial in the contemplation of a direct brain-computer interface, as there is great debate in the [[philosophy of mind]] regarding the reduction of [[consciousness]] and [[mind]] to the physical qualities of the brain.
