Human enhancement and augmented reality

Gordon, E. C. (2024) Human enhancement and augmented reality. Philosophy and Technology, 37, 17. (doi: 10.1007/s13347-024-00702-6)

Abstract

Bioconservative bioethicists (e.g., Kass, 2002, Human Dignity and Bioethics, 297–331, 2008; Sandel, 2007; Fukuyama, 2003) offer various kinds of philosophical arguments against cognitive enhancement—i.e., the use of medicine and technology to make ourselves “better than well” as opposed to merely treating pathologies. Two notable such bioconservative arguments appeal to ideas about (1) the value of achievement, and (2) authenticity. It is shown here that even if these arguments from achievement and authenticity cut ice against specifically pharmacologically driven cognitive enhancement, they do not extend over to an increasingly viable form of technological cognitive enhancement – namely, cognitive enhancement via augmented reality. An important result is that AR-driven cognitive enhancement aimed at boosting performance in certain cognitive tasks might offer an interesting kind of “sweet spot” for proponents of cognitive enhancement, allowing us to pursue many of the goals of enhancement advocates without running into some of the most prominent objections from bioconservative philosophers.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gordon, Dr Emma
• Authors: Gordon, E. C.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Philosophy
• Journal Name: Philosophy and Technology
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 2210-5433
• ISSN (Online): 2210-5441
• Copyright Holders: Copyright: © The Author(s) 2024
• First Published: First published in Philosophy and Technology 37: 17
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence