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Because our society has not debated the consequences of cognitive enhancement, and we are worse off for it. There are moral arguments for and against enhancemen

Because our society has not debated the consequences of cognitive enhancement, and we are worse off for it. There are moral arguments for and against enhancement, but the way it currently is prohibited, yet tolerated (nearly everyone who really wants to can game the prescription requirement), is the worst way to handle it. So why not allow healthy people to take it? Because it distorts the competition - not who studied the most wins, but he who enhanced himself best. If you allow some enhancement, why not others forms? What about artificial limbs for athletes? Where does enhancement stop? What about everyone then feeling pressured to enhance themselves to still be able to compete, if they want to or not?

deleted 17y ago
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- dsplittgerber 17y ago
  I concur. If I were at Harvard Law School or someplace similar, where supposedly 1/3+ of a class take cognitive enhancement drugs, I'd really try to start a ruckus about it. Either expressly allow it or prohibit it effectively (require signing a form allowing the school to revoke your JD in case someone can proove you took drugs etc.; any way to increase the moral tresholds for taking them; ethics courses and honor codes obviously don't work). Alas, ignoring the problem and thereby severly distorting the outcome of any mental competition is what's going to happen for the next decade.
AngryParsley 17y ago
I'd say the status quo is bad but not the worst. It would be better if cognitive-enhancing drugs were available for anyone who wanted them. It would be worse if using drugs for cognitive enhancement was illegal. I don't think the sports analogy maps. Sports are artificial competitions and usually zero-sum. Commerce is cooperative. Intelligent individuals often benefit the less lucky. They invent new technologies that end up helping everyone. If you allow some enhancement, why not others forms? My sentiments exactly. What about artificial limbs for athletes? I guess that would be the Paralympics, but I don't have a problem with it. Cyborg kickboxing sounds more interesting than any modern day event. Where does enhancement stop? Hmm... matrioshka brains I guess. Although I'm willing to compromise and limit people to Jupiter brains. What about everyone then feeling pressured to enhance themselves to still be able to compete, if they want to or not? The same can be said for getting a college degree or some other kind of certification. Yes, people feel bad when they have low status, but the benefits of enhancement technologies outweigh the costs. I'd rather live in a world where Einsteins were 1 in 10. That world would have a better chance of solving humanity's problems.
bmj 17y ago
Why talk about artificial limbs for athletes? There is a long list of banned substances, and there is no limit to the number of arguments you can find for and against the use of PEDs (Performance Enhancing Drugs) in sports.
jamesbritt 17y ago
"What about artificial limbs for athletes? Where does enhancement stop?" Sports is all about artificial restrictions. Not just banning drugs, but banning certain moves and behavior. That's what makes it a sport, and not real life. The idea is to see what people do under controlled conditions. Now, exactly what those restrictions should be is a useful question. But the existence of restrictions in sports is a given, by definition. "What about everyone then feeling pressured to enhance themselves to still be able to compete, if they want to or not?" That's how it's always been. Modern drugs are new, but the idea of self-modification to improve one's lot in life is not. Dressing better, having a better build, being more handsome or beautiful, being (or seeming) smarter; all quite historic pursuits. The world's a better place for it, overall.

deleted 17y ago

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dsplittgerber 17y ago
I concur. If I were at Harvard Law School or someplace similar, where supposedly 1/3+ of a class take cognitive enhancement drugs, I'd really try to start a ruckus about it. Either expressly allow it or prohibit it effectively (require signing a form allowing the school to revoke your JD in case someone can proove you took drugs etc.; any way to increase the moral tresholds for taking them; ethics courses and honor codes obviously don't work). Alas, ignoring the problem and thereby severly distorting the outcome of any mental competition is what's going to happen for the next decade.

AngryParsley 17y ago

I'd say the status quo is bad but not the worst. It would be better if cognitive-enhancing drugs were available for anyone who wanted them. It would be worse if using drugs for cognitive enhancement was illegal. I don't think the sports analogy maps. Sports are artificial competitions and usually zero-sum. Commerce is cooperative. Intelligent individuals often benefit the less lucky. They invent new technologies that end up helping everyone. If you allow some enhancement, why not others forms? My sentiments exactly. What about artificial limbs for athletes? I guess that would be the Paralympics, but I don't have a problem with it. Cyborg kickboxing sounds more interesting than any modern day event. Where does enhancement stop? Hmm... matrioshka brains I guess. Although I'm willing to compromise and limit people to Jupiter brains. What about everyone then feeling pressured to enhance themselves to still be able to compete, if they want to or not? The same can be said for getting a college degree or some other kind of certification. Yes, people feel bad when they have low status, but the benefits of enhancement technologies outweigh the costs. I'd rather live in a world where Einsteins were 1 in 10. That world would have a better chance of solving humanity's problems.

bmj 17y ago

Why talk about artificial limbs for athletes? There is a long list of banned substances, and there is no limit to the number of arguments you can find for and against the use of PEDs (Performance Enhancing Drugs) in sports.

jamesbritt 17y ago

"What about artificial limbs for athletes? Where does enhancement stop?" Sports is all about artificial restrictions. Not just banning drugs, but banning certain moves and behavior. That's what makes it a sport, and not real life. The idea is to see what people do under controlled conditions. Now, exactly what those restrictions should be is a useful question. But the existence of restrictions in sports is a given, by definition. "What about everyone then feeling pressured to enhance themselves to still be able to compete, if they want to or not?" That's how it's always been. Modern drugs are new, but the idea of self-modification to improve one's lot in life is not. Dressing better, having a better build, being more handsome or beautiful, being (or seeming) smarter; all quite historic pursuits. The world's a better place for it, overall.