Abstract

SAMPEDRO, Alberto Carrio. Some curious cases against cognitive human enhancement. Diacrítica [online]. 2013, vol.27, n.2, pp.125-138. ISSN 0807-8967.

In this article I analyse the definition of human cognitive enhancement and examine the arguments for and against it. Because of what I call “fhe Funes objection”, I adopt a welfarist approach to this issue. First, I consider the distinction between therapy and enhancement as well as the arguments in defense of the status quo. I argue that the objections against enhancement lose their strength once a welfarist approach is assumed, thereby offering no definitive arguments. Finally, I defend a form of cognitive human enhancement which strikes a balance between on the one hand the personal an impersonal point of view and on the other the main postulates of a liberal society.

Keywords : cognitive enhancement; welfare; therapy; liberal society.

        · abstract in Portuguese     · text in English     · English ( pdf )