The Ethics of Cognitive Enhancement: A Theological Perspective

Duration: 59 mins 43 secs

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Description:	Research Seminar given by Prof. Neil Messer (University of Winchester), 26 May 2015


Created:	2015-05-28 14:48
Collection:	Faraday Institute Lectures
Publisher:	Faraday Institute
Copyright:	Faraday Institute
Language:	eng (English)
Keywords:	messer; congitive; enhancement; neuroscience; brain; theological; theology; faraday; science; religion;


Abstract:	The field of neuroethics gathers together a range of ethical questions, from the highly theoretical to the thoroughly practical, raised by current developments in neuroscience. At the practical end of the range are questions about the ethics of cognitive enhancement, or the use of technologies such as drugs to enhance the performance of human brains and minds beyond "natural" levels. Broadly speaking, two questions arise: first, can a meaningful distinction be drawn between uses of such technologies for therapy and for enhancement? Second, can their use for enhancement be morally justified? This lecture will survey selected philosophical discussions of these questions and offer a Christian response grounded in a theological account of health, disease and medicine. It will be argued that this account can support a coherent and morally significant distinction between therapy and enhancement, and supply criteria for the ethical evaluation of enhancement.

Abstract:

The field of neuroethics gathers together a range of ethical questions, from the highly theoretical to the thoroughly practical, raised by current developments in neuroscience. At the practical end of the range are questions about the ethics of cognitive enhancement, or the use of technologies such as drugs to enhance the performance of human brains and minds beyond "natural" levels. Broadly speaking, two questions arise: first, can a meaningful distinction be drawn between uses of such technologies for therapy and for enhancement? Second, can their use for enhancement be morally justified? This lecture will survey selected philosophical discussions of these questions and offer a Christian response grounded in a theological account of health, disease and medicine. It will be argued that this account can support a coherent and morally significant distinction between therapy and enhancement, and supply criteria for the ethical evaluation of enhancement.

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