This book puts forward an ethical case against promoting neuroenhancement in modern society. It does so by invoking a normative platform that can be couched in three S'es: synapses, self, and society - themselves symbolizing the three main sources of influence in neuroethics. From this platform, it seeks to protect the individual's right to choose the good over what is purportedly better, thereby contributing a philosophical perspective not only to the neuroenhancement debate, but to the other debates in neuroethics as well. Rey Francis Hernandez is an associate professor of philosophy at Ateneo de Naga University and chief executive officer of EPECTO g. e. V.

This book explores how one can bring about changes in the brain through meditation, both through attention-focus training and through compassion training. Recent findings in the natural sciences have confirmed that it is possible for humans to achieve these structural and functional changes through various life-style practices. It is argued that meditation enables us to influence some aspects of our biological make-up and, for example, could boost our cognitive flexibility as well as our ability to act compassionate. Such changes are likely to facilitate the instilling of a number of epistemic virtues which have great bearing on our quality of life. This book offers the reader an accessible introduction to a set of neuro-enhancement methods, with a special focus on meditation techniques, and explores how such practices could contribute to make us better decision-makers and improve our moral virtues. The book is suitable for anyone looking for a text discussing the effects of neuro-enhancement from a secular ethics perspective.

The Routledge Handbook of the Ethics of Human Enhancement provides readers with a philosophically rich and scientifically grounded analysis of human enhancement and its ethical implications. A landmark in the academic literature, the volume covers human enhancement in genetic engineering, neuroscience, synthetic biology, regenerative medicine, bioengineering, and many other fields. The Handbook includes a diverse and multifaceted collection of 30 chapters—all appearing here in print for the first time— that reveal the fundamental ethical challenges related to human enhancement. The chapters have been written by internationally recognized leaders in the field and are organized into seven parts: Historical Background and Key Concepts Human Enhancement and Human Nature Physical Enhancement Cognitive Enhancement Mood Enhancement and Moral Enhancement Human Enhancement and Medicine Legal, Social, and Political Implications The depth and topical range of the Handbook makes it an essential resource for upper-level undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows in a broad variety of disciplinary areas. Furthermore, it is an authoritative reference for basic scientists, philosophers, engineers, physicians, lawyers, and other professionals who work on the topic of human enhancement.

Discussions on cognitive-neuroenhancement for healthy adults tend to focus on theoretical positions while concrete policy proposals and detailed models are scarce. Furthermore, discussions generally rely solely on data from the US or UK, while international perspectives are mostly non-existent. This volume fills the gap addressing the conceptual, ethical, social, and legal implications of cognitive enhancement from an international perspective.

Intracerebral interventions raise particular ethical issues. For instance, attempts at replacing lost or altered brain cells with the help of stem cells or the therapeutic application of Deep Brain Stimulation would have morally relevant implications. Many medically relevant questions and ethical concerns need to be clarified before these intracerebral interventions can become routine procedure: If the brain is conceived as the carrier of an individual's personality or of the self then operations on the brain can be seen as intrusions upon one's personality. The book addresses historical, philosophical, social and legal implications of these new developments in the neurosciences and aims at resolving some of the dilemmas that go hand in hand with »implanted minds«.

This book covers both sides of the debate over amphetamine prescription and use. It discusses the history of amphetamine and related stimulants; ADHD and the use of Ritalin and Adderall to treat it; related neuroenhancers; methamphetamine from Desoxyn to crystal meth; the nature of addiction and side effects; sociological effects of amphetamine compounds; and expert opinions for and against amphetamine use.

Human enhancement (HE) is considered one of the most profoundly impactful effects of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This book presents the definition, theory, scope, and main challenges of HE from a health policy and healthcare systems perspective. It offers a comprehensive view of the consequences of human enhancement disrupting the status quo in health service delivery and social coherence. The book examines the latest achievements of HE, focusing on four forms of enhancement: cognitive, physical, mood and moral. These forms are supported by the list of specific technologies and techniques used for HE. The book identifies the current trends in HE's development and analyses the challenges that HE poses to health policy and healthcare systems. It discusses the legal and financial aspects of HE, including regulation and shows that the financing of HE goes far beyond the scope of universal health coverage, thus opening the door for private, voluntary insurance and/or out-of-pocket payments. This, in turn, leads towards growing inequalities, which may threaten social cohesion. Readers will receive a structured picture of the latest advances in HE and trends in the field, as well as a list of the challenges and problems that HE generates. The book offers a concise picture of HE for students and researchers across the political sciences, public health, public sector management, and sociology. It will also find an audience among healthcare managers, policymakers, and those who are interested in social change.

There is a growing literature in neuroethics dealing with cognitive neuro-enhancement for healthy adults. However, discussions on this topic tend to focus on abstract theoretical positions while concrete policy proposals and detailed models are scarce. Furthermore, discussions appear to rely solely on data from the US or UK, while international perspectives are mostly non-existent. This volume fills this gap and addresses issues on cognitive enhancement comprehensively in three important ways: 1) it examines the conceptual implications stemming from competing points of view about the nature and goals of enhancement; 2) it addresses the ethical, social, and legal implications of neuroenhancement from an international and global perspective including contributions from scholars in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America; and 3) it discusses and analyzes concrete legal issues and policy options tailored to specific contexts.