Human Enhancement and Well-Being: A Case for Optimism

New technologies and medicines can enhance human functioning, but should we use them? This book argues that the bioconservative case against enhancement doesn't hold water and presents a two-part enhancement proposal that satisfies the theoretical desiderata that emerged from reflecting on the critique of bioconservativism. The first part motivates and outlines the general role of an enhancement counsellor in facilitating voluntary enhancement, and the second part offers an applied case study of this role in the special case of enhancement for the purpose of facilitating romantic and parental relationships.

Format: Hardback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

New technologies and medicines are revolutionizing the way we enhance our human functioning, offering unprecedented opportunities to become smarter, more emotionally attuned, and potentially even morally better. However, as we embrace these advancements, we must confront important questions about whether we should pursue them. This book aims to explore these questions and provide a comprehensive analysis of the contemporary arguments against human enhancements.

The first part of the book outlines and criticizes six main contemporary arguments for skepticism about the role of human enhancements in promoting well-being. These arguments concern various aspects of human life, including the value of achievements, freedom, hyperagency, human nature, authenticity, and inequality. The author will demonstrate why the overarching bioconservative case against enhancement does not hold water, providing a fresh perspective on this debate.

The second central aim of the book is positive. Despite the critiques considered and rejected, the author will show that each of these arguments motivates a distinctive kind of theoretical desideratum that a viable positive enhancement proposal should satisfy. The remainder of the book will then defend a two-part enhancement proposal that meets these theoretical desiderata.

The first part of the proposal focuses on the role of an enhancement counselor in facilitating voluntary enhancement. The author will outline the general responsibilities and duties of an enhancement counselor, including providing information about available enhancements, assessing the risks and benefits, and assisting individuals in making informed decisions about their own enhancement. An applied case study of this role will be presented, focusing on enhancement for the purpose of facilitating romantic and parental relationships.

This book will be of interest to scholars and advanced students working in applied ethics, bioethics, philosophy of technology, philosophy of well-being, and social epistemology. It offers a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of the ethical and philosophical implications of human enhancements, providing valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and individuals alike.

Weight: 410g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367702205