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Characterization of the Sense of Agency over the Actions of Neural-machine Interface-operated Prostheses

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Published on: January 7, 2019

Cognitive Enhancement, Hyperagency, and Responsibility Explosion.

Emma C Gordon¹

¹University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.

The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy

|June 24, 2024

Summary

Cognitive enhancement may seem to create too many responsibilities, but this "hyperagency" objection is not a strong reason to resist it. Arguments against cognitive enhancement should focus elsewhere.

Area of Science:

Bioethics
Philosophy of Technology
Cognitive Science

Background:

Concerns exist that cognitive enhancement technologies may diminish human well-being.
A prominent objection, articulated by Sandel, suggests enhancement could lead to an "explosion" of responsibilities, negatively impacting well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

To charitably formulate and critically engage with Sandel's hyperagency objection to cognitive enhancement.
To determine if the hyperagency objection provides a valid reason to resist cognitive enhancement.

Main Methods:

Philosophical analysis of Sandel's hyperagency argument.
Conceptual exploration of responsibility and control in the context of cognitive enhancement.

Main Results:

Keywords:

cognitive enhancement hyperagency responsibility

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The prima facie persuasiveness of the hyperagency objection is acknowledged.
The analysis demonstrates that the hyperagency objection can ultimately be defended against.

Conclusions:

Sandel-style hyperagency arguments are not sufficient grounds for resisting cognitive enhancement.
Alternative ethical considerations should be prioritized when evaluating cognitive enhancement.