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Memory-Modulation: Self-Improvement or Self-Depletion?
1Neuroethics, Centro Universitario Internazionale, Arezzo, Italy.
Frontiers in Psychology
|April 21, 2018
Summary
Modifying autobiographical memories through memory modulation and erasure impacts self-construction. Ethical considerations arise, particularly with narrative theories of identity, questioning the desirability of altering painful memories.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy of Mind
Background:
- Autobiographical memory is crucial for self-construction and identity.
- Memory modulation and erasure present theoretical and practical implications.
- The relationship between self, personal identity, and autobiographical memory is complex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current advancements in memory modulation and erasure techniques.
- To analyze the impact of these memory interventions on the self and autobiographical memory system.
- To explore the ethical considerations of altering memories based on different self-conceptualizations.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of memory modulation and erasure research.
- Analysis of theoretical frameworks concerning the self and personal identity.
- Ethical discussion of memory intervention based on narrative and constructivist theories of self.
Main Results:
- Memory modulation and erasure have significant implications for the self.
- Ethical concerns are prominent, especially within narrative theories of personal identity.
- Constructivist theories of self present fewer ethical objections to memory alteration.
Conclusions:
- Altering painful memories is ethically complex, particularly for narrative identity theories.
- The desirability of memory modification depends on the conceptualization of the self.
- Interventions on memory can be viewed as self-improvement or self-impairment depending on the theoretical framework.
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