Neuroethics and the Scientific Revision of Common Sense

This book is focused on the examination of the particular relationship between developments in neuroscience and commonsense concepts, such as free will, personal identity, privacy, etc., which feature prominently in moral discourse. In the book common sense is recast as an ever-shifting repository of theories from many domains, including science. Utilizing this alternative characterization of common sense, the book reexamines the impact of neuroscience on commonsense moral conceptions.

Neuroethics is one of the newest, developing branches of Bioethics. Topics often raised include issues of free will, personal identity and the self; the possible ethical implication of memory manipulation; brain imaging and mind-reading; brain stimulation/enhancement and its impacts on personal identity; and brain death.

Bridges the schism between philosophy of mind and ethics Addresses prominent views in philosophy of mind and shows how they affect ethical problems in neuroethics Strikes a balance between providing a good introduction for those new to the field, and presenting issues with the right amount of depth for those readers who have more developed interests in the field

Contenu

1. Introduction.- 2. Rethinking Commonsense Conceptual Frameworks.- 3. The Common Notion of Free Will.- 4. Cognitive Enhancement and Personal Identity.- 5. The Truth about Memory and Identity.- 6. Brain Imaging and the Privacy of Inner States.- 7. Objectifying Pain.- 8. Identifying Death.