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Creating Virtual-hand and Virtual-face Illusions to Investigate Self-representation

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[Enhancement between self-realization and self-deception].

Bernward Gesang¹

¹Philosophisches Institut, Universitat, Universitatsstrabe 1, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany. gesangbe@gmx.de

Ethik in Der Medizin : Organ Der Akademie Fur Ethik in Der Medizin

|December 13, 2006

Summary

Technical human enhancement is morally acceptable under specific conditions. This analysis explores human nature, autonomy, and the ethics of enhancing adults versus children, rejecting strict prohibitions.

Keywords:

Analytical Approach Health Care and Public Health

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Area of Science:

Bioethics
Philosophy of Technology
Human Enhancement Ethics

Context:

The rapid advancement of technology raises profound ethical questions regarding human enhancement.
Debates surrounding human enhancement often center on preserving human nature and individual autonomy.

Purpose:

To analyze the moral implications of technical human enhancement.
To address concerns about human nature, autonomy, personality, and the differential ethics of enhancing adults versus children.
To evaluate the moral distinction between reversible and irreversible enhancements.

Summary:

This work defends a moderate liberal stance on human enhancement.
It argues that enhancement is not inherently morally unacceptable, provided certain conditions are met.
Arguments against the enhancement of children, such as those by J. Habermas, are critically examined and rejected under specific circumstances.

Impact:

Provides a framework for ethically evaluating human enhancement technologies.
Contributes to the ongoing discourse on bioethics and the future of humanity.
Suggests that conditional acceptance of enhancement is a viable ethical position.