Moral Bioenhancement, Freedom and Reason.

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Neuroscience
• Moral Philosophy

Background:

• Critiques of biomedical moral enhancement, specifically moral bioenhancement, have been raised by John Harris.
• Key objections include the potential undermining of moral reasoning and individual freedom.
• The "God Machine," a hypothetical predictive computer, faces specific criticism regarding freedom restrictions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address and refute John Harris's primary objections to moral bioenhancement.
• To argue that biomedical moral enhancement supports, rather than replaces, moral reasoning.
• To assert that proposed technological interventions like the "God Machine" preserve justifiable freedoms.

Main Methods:

• Philosophical argumentation and critical analysis of objections.
• Re-evaluation of the relationship between moral enhancement technologies and moral agency.
• Ethical justification of technological constraints based on harm prevention.

Main Results:

• Effective moral bioenhancement is presented as presupposing and potentially strengthening moral reasoning.
• The "God Machine" is argued to permit extensive freedom, with limitations deemed morally permissible.
• Restrictions imposed by the "God Machine" are justified by their efficacy in preventing morally atrocious acts.

Conclusions:

• Biomedical moral enhancement is compatible with, and can be supported by, robust moral reasoning.
• Technological interventions aimed at moral improvement, such as the "God Machine," can be ethically sound.
• The prevention of significant harm provides a moral justification for limitations on freedom imposed by such technologies.