Abstract
Neuroenhancement through psychopharmacology can improve a range of cognitive and affective functions involved in practical and moral reasoning and decision-making. In this chapter, the claim that this type of enhancement would adversely alter human nature will be examined, and it will be argued that the claim is unfounded because it is based on questionable assumptions. In addition, some of the neurobiological risks associated with cognition-enhancing drugs will be considered. It will be pointed out that answers to questions about risk can only be provided after a sufficient number of prospective controlled studies of the drugs’ effects have been conducted. On the basis of studies conducted thus far, less pronounced effects of these drugs on the cognitively better off and more pronounced effects on the cognitively worse off suggest that they would not increase and might decrease social inequality. Finally, empirical evidence for the potential of drugs to enhance moral sensitivity and moral motivation will be considered and some of the social implications of the effects of the drugs will be explored. If the drugs were effective in making us more responsive to moral reasons for and against beneficial and harmful actions and promoted moral progress, there would remain the question of how to balance the collective interest against individuals’ right to choose not to enhance.
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The author is grateful to Bert Gordijn for helpful comments on an earlier version of this chapter.
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Glannon, W. (2015). Reflections on Neuroenhancement. In: Clausen, J., Levy, N. (eds) Handbook of Neuroethics. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4707-4_93
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4707-4_93
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