What are the ethics of cognitive enhancement?
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The Ethics of Cognitive Enhancement
Introduction to Cognitive Enhancement Ethics
Cognitive enhancement, particularly through pharmacological means, has become a topic of significant ethical debate. The use of cognition-enhancing drugs (CEDs) is increasingly common in academic and workplace settings, raising numerous ethical questions about fairness, authenticity, and the nature of accomplishment . This article explores the ethical considerations surrounding cognitive enhancement, drawing on various perspectives and recommendations from recent research.
Fairness and Authenticity in Cognitive Enhancement
Fairness Concerns
One of the primary ethical concerns about cognitive enhancement is fairness. Critics argue that the use of CEDs in competitive environments can create an uneven playing field, where those who use these drugs have an unfair advantage over those who do not. This concern is particularly pronounced in academic and professional settings, where success is often measured against the performance of peers. Studies have shown that fairness-based concerns are a significant factor in opposition to cognitive enhancement, even when the drugs are legal, accessible, and affordable.
Authenticity and Accomplishment
Another major ethical issue is the authenticity of accomplishments achieved through cognitive enhancement. The Accomplishment Argument posits that work produced under the influence of CEDs is less valuable or authentic because it does not reflect the individual's true capabilities. However, some scholars argue that this view is based on an individualistic notion of authorship and that a more collaborative perspective could mitigate these concerns. They suggest that cognitive enhancement can be consistent with values like humility and transparency, promoting a culture of open enhancement .
Autonomy and Cognitive Enhancement
Enhancing Autonomy
The relationship between cognitive enhancement and autonomy is complex. Some argue that cognitive enhancement can actually enhance autonomy by improving individuals' cognitive capacities, thereby enabling them to make better decisions and exercise greater control over their lives. However, this perspective is not universally accepted. Critics contend that cognitive enhancement could undermine autonomy by creating dependencies on external substances and altering individuals' authentic selves.
Limits of Autonomy Enhancement
Research has explored the limits of cognitive enhancement in relation to autonomy. It is suggested that while cognitive enhancement can improve certain aspects of autonomy, such as competence, it may not necessarily enhance the authenticity of one's decisions and actions. This distinction is crucial for understanding the ethical boundaries of cognitive enhancement.
Broader Ethical and Regulatory Challenges
Bioethical Recommendations
The ethical debate on cognitive enhancement has led to various recommendations from bioethical authorities. For instance, the US Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues has examined the implications of cognitive enhancement and provided guidelines for its ethical use . These recommendations emphasize the need for a balanced approach that considers both the potential benefits and the ethical risks associated with cognitive enhancement.
Non-Pharmacological Enhancements
While much of the ethical debate focuses on pharmacological enhancements, non-pharmacological methods such as nutrition, physical exercise, and meditation also play a role in cognitive enhancement. These methods are often seen as more ethically acceptable because they do not involve the same risks and dependencies as pharmaceutical interventions. However, they still raise ethical questions about fairness and the nature of enhancement.
Conclusion
The ethics of cognitive enhancement is a multifaceted issue that encompasses concerns about fairness, authenticity, autonomy, and broader societal implications. While cognitive enhancement offers potential benefits, it also poses significant ethical challenges that need to be carefully considered. A balanced approach that promotes transparency, fairness, and respect for individual autonomy is essential for navigating the ethical landscape of cognitive enhancement.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Humility pills: building an ethics of cognitive enhancement.
Cognitive Enhancement, Cheating, and Accomplishment
Cognitive Enhancement and Beyond: Recommendations from the Bioethics Commission
How pills undermine skills: Moralization of cognitive enhancement and causal selection
The Epistemology of Cognitive Enhancement.
Buddhism and neuroethics: the ethics of pharmaceutical cognitive enhancement.
Pharmacological Human Enhancement: An Overview of the Looming Bioethical and Regulatory Challenges
Ethical Considerations in the Framing of the Cognitive Enhancement Debate
Autonomy and the limits of cognitive enhancement.
Non-pharmacological cognitive enhancement
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