Abstract
Ethicists have long pondered the relationship between deterministic scientific theories of human and animal nature and behavior, and the philosophical clarification of concepts — such as morality, agency, and individuality. Plato, in his attempts to construct the morally ideal state (Republic III,410,IV pp. 456-61) noted that human beings differ greatly as to their innate natural abilities, that results in the fulfilment of an appropriate function in the state. In other words, there is a correlation between natural abilities and particular functions necessary for harmonious political and moral life. Plato’s commitment to such a policy can be seen in his view of the state’s role in regulating reproduction. Selective breeding was encouraged as a means of improving society. Strict policies on marriage based on desirable “hereditary” tendencies were introduced as a possible mechanism to achieve such a goal.
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Deepandung, A., Noonpakdee, W.T. (1998). The Moral Status of the Human Genome. In: Agius, E., Busuttil, S. (eds) Germ-Line Intervention and Our Responsibilities to Future Generations. Philosophy and Medicine, vol 55. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5149-8_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5149-8_2
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