Everyday neuromorality

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Philosophy of Mind
• Ethics

Background:

• Neuroimaging techniques increasingly allow for the observation and recording of human emotions.
• This capability raises concerns regarding the potential demystification of the mind and its implications for free will.
• There is a perceived threat of increased manipulation due to a deeper understanding of cognitive functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address widespread uneasiness surrounding neuroimaging's potential impact on concepts of free will and autonomy.
• To explore the relationship between understanding cognitive functions and notions of moral responsibility.
• To argue that self-control is the basis of freedom and that moral responsibility is fundamentally social.

Main Methods:

• Philosophical analysis of neuroimaging's implications.
• Ethical reasoning on the nature of free will and moral responsibility.
• Conceptual exploration of the link between cognitive science and societal norms.

Main Results:

• Understanding cognitive functions may necessitate revisions to common notions of moral responsibility and control.
• The study posits that freedom is rooted in self-control, not solely in unobservable mental states.
• Moral responsibility is framed as a social construct, resilient to neuroscientific findings.

Conclusions:

• Advances in neuroimaging do not invalidate the concepts of free will or moral responsibility.
• Self-control is identified as the crucial element for maintaining personal freedom and agency.
• The social nature of morality ensures its continued relevance despite scientific advancements in understanding the mind.