Biotechnology and Human Dignity Public

Davis, Keenan (2015)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/6w924c59v?locale=fr
Published

Abstract

Wielding technological power to alter the human condition is no new phenomenon. However, the current rate of change in such power as well as its remarkable scope and ease of access will certainly present heretofore unseen difficulties of extraordinary consequence. To ethically address the ways in which we might use biotechnology to modify human nature, we must have recourse to an overarching guiding concept such as human dignity. The greatest threats to human dignity result from a reductionist understanding of various philosophical dualisms, including mind-body, nature-nurture, and fact-value. This thesis will promote a moderate and pragmatic naturalist ethics for harmonizing these irresolvable dialectics in service of human dignity, and will illustrate the resulting methodology through the specific example of cognitive enhancements.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Bioethics and Human Dignity in the Twenty-First Century p. 1

Chapter 1 - Biotechnology and Human Enhancement p. 8

Chapter 2 - Eudaimonic Human Dignity p. 41

Chapter 3 - Human Dignity and Cognitive Enhancements p. 82

Conclusion: Heuristics for Implementing Biotechnology p. 105

Bibliography p. 110

About this Master's Thesis

Rights statement
  • Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.
School
Department
Degree
Submission
Language
  • English
Research Field
Mot-clé
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor
Committee Members
Dernière modification

Primary PDF

Supplemental Files