Jonathan Wolff and Avner De-Shalit
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- May 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199278268
- eISBN:
- 9780191707902
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199278268.003.0011
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory
Social policies designed to help people by securing a particular functioning might harm them by risking other functionings. One example is housing, where policies of slum clearance and rehousing, ...
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Social policies designed to help people by securing a particular functioning might harm them by risking other functionings. One example is housing, where policies of slum clearance and rehousing, while improving people's housing conditions, disrupt their communities and social networks, often leading to severe problems in affiliation, mental health, and the ability to cope. Another example concerns means tested benefits, which while well-intentioned can be experienced as humiliating and stigmatizing, thereby risking a sense of autonomy and self esteem. This chapter argues that policy makers need to consider the total effects of their interventions, rather than simply concerning themselves with only their own policy areas. Remedies of ‘status enhancement’ are recommended, which improve an individual's genuine opportunities for secure functionings by changing the world around them, rather than identifying particular individuals as objects in need of help.Less
Social policies designed to help people by securing a particular functioning might harm them by risking other functionings. One example is housing, where policies of slum clearance and rehousing, while improving people's housing conditions, disrupt their communities and social networks, often leading to severe problems in affiliation, mental health, and the ability to cope. Another example concerns means tested benefits, which while well-intentioned can be experienced as humiliating and stigmatizing, thereby risking a sense of autonomy and self esteem. This chapter argues that policy makers need to consider the total effects of their interventions, rather than simply concerning themselves with only their own policy areas. Remedies of ‘status enhancement’ are recommended, which improve an individual's genuine opportunities for secure functionings by changing the world around them, rather than identifying particular individuals as objects in need of help.
Ingmar Persson and Julian Savulescu
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199653645
- eISBN:
- 9780191742033
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199653645.001.0001
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy, Political Philosophy
Most of their history human beings have lived in comparatively small and close‐knit societies, with a primitive technology that allowed them to affect only their most immediate environment. Their ...
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Most of their history human beings have lived in comparatively small and close‐knit societies, with a primitive technology that allowed them to affect only their most immediate environment. Their moral psychology is therefore adpated to make them fit to live in these conditions; it is myopic, restricted to a concern about kin and people in the neighbourhood in the immediate future. But by scientific technology humans have radically changed their living conditions, while their moral psychology has remained fundamentally the same through this change, which is occurring with an accelerating speed. Human beings now live in societies with millions of citizens, and with an advanced scientific technology that enables them to exercise an influence that extends all over the world and far into the future. This is leading to increasing environmental degradation and to deleterious climate change. The advanced scientific technology has also equipped human beings with nuclear and biological weapons of mass destruction, which might be used by states in wars over dwindling natural resources, or by terrorists. Liberal democracies cannot overcome these threats merely by developing novel technology. What is needed is an enhancement of the moral dispositions of their citizens, an extension of their moral concern beyond a small circle of personal acquaintances and further into the future. Otherwise, human civilization is jeopardized. It is doubtful whether this moral enhancement could be accomplished solely by means of traditional moral education. Therefore, we should explore, in addition, the prospects of moral enhancement by alternative, biomedical means.Less
Most of their history human beings have lived in comparatively small and close‐knit societies, with a primitive technology that allowed them to affect only their most immediate environment. Their moral psychology is therefore adpated to make them fit to live in these conditions; it is myopic, restricted to a concern about kin and people in the neighbourhood in the immediate future. But by scientific technology humans have radically changed their living conditions, while their moral psychology has remained fundamentally the same through this change, which is occurring with an accelerating speed. Human beings now live in societies with millions of citizens, and with an advanced scientific technology that enables them to exercise an influence that extends all over the world and far into the future. This is leading to increasing environmental degradation and to deleterious climate change. The advanced scientific technology has also equipped human beings with nuclear and biological weapons of mass destruction, which might be used by states in wars over dwindling natural resources, or by terrorists. Liberal democracies cannot overcome these threats merely by developing novel technology. What is needed is an enhancement of the moral dispositions of their citizens, an extension of their moral concern beyond a small circle of personal acquaintances and further into the future. Otherwise, human civilization is jeopardized. It is doubtful whether this moral enhancement could be accomplished solely by means of traditional moral education. Therefore, we should explore, in addition, the prospects of moral enhancement by alternative, biomedical means.
Melvin Delgado
- Published in print:
- 1999
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780195125467
- eISBN:
- 9780199864188
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195125467.003.0013
- Subject:
- Social Work, Communities and Organizations
This chapter presents a synthesis of the lessons learned in undertaking urban-based community capacity-enhancement practice. The rewards, challenges, hopes, and despair that are often associated with ...
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This chapter presents a synthesis of the lessons learned in undertaking urban-based community capacity-enhancement practice. The rewards, challenges, hopes, and despair that are often associated with practice in urban areas must energize social workers in their quest for economic and social justice for undervalued groups that often face multiple jeopardies in their lives. Recommendations for future work are discussed. These recommendations cover a variety of arenas regarding practice and social work education as a means of bringing these two “worlds” together.Less
This chapter presents a synthesis of the lessons learned in undertaking urban-based community capacity-enhancement practice. The rewards, challenges, hopes, and despair that are often associated with practice in urban areas must energize social workers in their quest for economic and social justice for undervalued groups that often face multiple jeopardies in their lives. Recommendations for future work are discussed. These recommendations cover a variety of arenas regarding practice and social work education as a means of bringing these two “worlds” together.
Rein Taagepera
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199287741
- eISBN:
- 9780191713408
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199287741.003.0016
- Subject:
- Political Science, Democratization
The number of seats in the European Parliament roughly equals the cube root of the population of the European Union. This theoretically based ‘cube root law of assembly sizes’ also fits most national ...
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The number of seats in the European Parliament roughly equals the cube root of the population of the European Union. This theoretically based ‘cube root law of assembly sizes’ also fits most national assemblies, and it could be made the official norm for the EP. Allocation of EP seats and Council of the EU voting weights among member states has for forty years closely approximated the distribution a ‘minority enhancement equation’ predicts, solely on the basis of the number and populations of member states plus the total number of seats/voting weights. This logically founded formula could be made the official norm, so as to save political wrangling. It may also be of use for some other supranational bodies and federal second chambers.Less
The number of seats in the European Parliament roughly equals the cube root of the population of the European Union. This theoretically based ‘cube root law of assembly sizes’ also fits most national assemblies, and it could be made the official norm for the EP. Allocation of EP seats and Council of the EU voting weights among member states has for forty years closely approximated the distribution a ‘minority enhancement equation’ predicts, solely on the basis of the number and populations of member states plus the total number of seats/voting weights. This logically founded formula could be made the official norm, so as to save political wrangling. It may also be of use for some other supranational bodies and federal second chambers.
Nicholas Agar
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- May 2014
- ISBN:
- 9780262026635
- eISBN:
- 9780262318976
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262026635.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Bioethics
The transformative potential of genetic and cybernetic technologies to enhance human capabilities is most often either rejected on moral and prudential grounds or hailed as the future salvation of ...
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The transformative potential of genetic and cybernetic technologies to enhance human capabilities is most often either rejected on moral and prudential grounds or hailed as the future salvation of humanity. In this book, Nicholas Agar offers a more nuanced view, making a case for moderate human enhancement—improvements to attributes and abilities that do not significantly exceed what is currently possible for human beings. He argues against radical human enhancement, or improvements that greatly exceeds current human capabilities. Agar explores notions of transformative change and motives for human enhancement; distinguishes between the instrumental and intrinsic value of enhancements; argues that too much enhancement undermines human identity; considers the possibility of cognitively enhanced scientists; and argues against radical life extension. Making the case for moderate enhancement, Agar argues that many objections to enhancement are better understood as directed at the degree of enhancement rather than enhancement itself. Moderate human enhancement meets the requirement of truly human enhancement. By radically enhancing human cognitive capabilities, by contrast, we may inadvertently create beings (“post-persons") with moral status higher than that of persons. If we create beings more entitled to benefits and protections against harms than persons, Agar writes, this will be bad news for the unenhanced. Moderate human enhancement offers a more appealing vision of the future and of our relationship to technology.Less
The transformative potential of genetic and cybernetic technologies to enhance human capabilities is most often either rejected on moral and prudential grounds or hailed as the future salvation of humanity. In this book, Nicholas Agar offers a more nuanced view, making a case for moderate human enhancement—improvements to attributes and abilities that do not significantly exceed what is currently possible for human beings. He argues against radical human enhancement, or improvements that greatly exceeds current human capabilities. Agar explores notions of transformative change and motives for human enhancement; distinguishes between the instrumental and intrinsic value of enhancements; argues that too much enhancement undermines human identity; considers the possibility of cognitively enhanced scientists; and argues against radical life extension. Making the case for moderate enhancement, Agar argues that many objections to enhancement are better understood as directed at the degree of enhancement rather than enhancement itself. Moderate human enhancement meets the requirement of truly human enhancement. By radically enhancing human cognitive capabilities, by contrast, we may inadvertently create beings (“post-persons") with moral status higher than that of persons. If we create beings more entitled to benefits and protections against harms than persons, Agar writes, this will be bad news for the unenhanced. Moderate human enhancement offers a more appealing vision of the future and of our relationship to technology.
Brian C. J. Moore
- Published in print:
- 1995
- Published Online:
- January 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780198523307
- eISBN:
- 9780191712456
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198523307.003.0008
- Subject:
- Psychology, Health Psychology
This chapter describes the types of signal processing used in hearing aids to compensate for cochlear hearing loss. Topics covered include limitations of conventional hearing aids; general problems ...
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This chapter describes the types of signal processing used in hearing aids to compensate for cochlear hearing loss. Topics covered include limitations of conventional hearing aids; general problems with hearing aids; schemes based on compensation for specific auditory deficits such as loudness recruitment and reduced frequency selectivity; schemes based on speech feature enhancement, more general schemes for enhancing signal-to-noise ratio, including directional microphones; and future directions.Less
This chapter describes the types of signal processing used in hearing aids to compensate for cochlear hearing loss. Topics covered include limitations of conventional hearing aids; general problems with hearing aids; schemes based on compensation for specific auditory deficits such as loudness recruitment and reduced frequency selectivity; schemes based on speech feature enhancement, more general schemes for enhancing signal-to-noise ratio, including directional microphones; and future directions.
Michael Brady and Alan K. Bowman
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- January 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780197262962
- eISBN:
- 9780191734533
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- British Academy
- DOI:
- 10.5871/bacad/9780197262962.003.0001
- Subject:
- Archaeology, Methodology and Techniques
This book is a result of the joint research project on the image enhancement of ancient documents. It brings together researches and projects in such way techniques and results could be discussed in ...
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This book is a result of the joint research project on the image enhancement of ancient documents. It brings together researches and projects in such way techniques and results could be discussed in a way which would capitalize the possibilities of cross-fertilization, of generalizing techniques from a category of object or problem to another, and encourage people to think laterally and in interdisciplinary way on advancing techniques of imaging and visual understanding of objects under study. It aims to instil awareness of the extent to which scientific contributions are thinking about subjectivity of interpretation, visual cognition, and the need to improve methods of presenting evidence in ways which feed their scientific thinking and encourage genuine innovation of approach to developing methods of image enhancement. The chapters of this volume offer a wide range of treatment of artefacts and of techniques, many of which could be applied to a broader range of materials. While this volume did not include all scientific techniques and artefacts, it includes all artefacts which require three-dimensional (3D) imaging techniques. In this volume, the main themes are: imaging documents, laser imaging, 3D reconstructions, reconstruction of faces and depth perception from relief.Less
This book is a result of the joint research project on the image enhancement of ancient documents. It brings together researches and projects in such way techniques and results could be discussed in a way which would capitalize the possibilities of cross-fertilization, of generalizing techniques from a category of object or problem to another, and encourage people to think laterally and in interdisciplinary way on advancing techniques of imaging and visual understanding of objects under study. It aims to instil awareness of the extent to which scientific contributions are thinking about subjectivity of interpretation, visual cognition, and the need to improve methods of presenting evidence in ways which feed their scientific thinking and encourage genuine innovation of approach to developing methods of image enhancement. The chapters of this volume offer a wide range of treatment of artefacts and of techniques, many of which could be applied to a broader range of materials. While this volume did not include all scientific techniques and artefacts, it includes all artefacts which require three-dimensional (3D) imaging techniques. In this volume, the main themes are: imaging documents, laser imaging, 3D reconstructions, reconstruction of faces and depth perception from relief.
Carlo Vandecasteele, Luc Van Gool, Karel Van Lerberghe, Johan Van Rompay, and Patrick Wambacq
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- January 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780197262962
- eISBN:
- 9780191734533
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- British Academy
- DOI:
- 10.5871/bacad/9780197262962.003.0004
- Subject:
- Archaeology, Methodology and Techniques
In 1850, ‘Assyriology’, or the science of reading and interpreting cuneiform, was created. During this period, historians travelled to the Middle East and spent years copying cuneiform tablets. Now, ...
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In 1850, ‘Assyriology’, or the science of reading and interpreting cuneiform, was created. During this period, historians travelled to the Middle East and spent years copying cuneiform tablets. Now, at the beginning of the third millennium AD, not much has changed. Historians still rely on epigraphy which employs the copying of inscriptions and texts by hand. This method is highly subjective, tedious and time-consuming. As Middle Eastern antiquities departments do not allow the export of these tablets, historians and scholars are faced with the challenge of producing more efficient field methods. This chapter discusses a new method of recording the information taken from cuneiform tablets using digitizing. Digital imaging uses a camera wherein the picture captured is linked to a laptop which runs an image processing algorithm program to obtain the desired results. An enhancement method is then applied to improve the quality of the image. Digitizing cuneiform tablets provides historians a working document with legibility of 90 to 95 per cent. Aside from its relatively efficiency, digital imaging can also allow for the registering of various tablets in one excavation season and can be employed in the digital registration of all sealings such as pottery sherds, and fingerprints on clay vessels.Less
In 1850, ‘Assyriology’, or the science of reading and interpreting cuneiform, was created. During this period, historians travelled to the Middle East and spent years copying cuneiform tablets. Now, at the beginning of the third millennium AD, not much has changed. Historians still rely on epigraphy which employs the copying of inscriptions and texts by hand. This method is highly subjective, tedious and time-consuming. As Middle Eastern antiquities departments do not allow the export of these tablets, historians and scholars are faced with the challenge of producing more efficient field methods. This chapter discusses a new method of recording the information taken from cuneiform tablets using digitizing. Digital imaging uses a camera wherein the picture captured is linked to a laptop which runs an image processing algorithm program to obtain the desired results. An enhancement method is then applied to improve the quality of the image. Digitizing cuneiform tablets provides historians a working document with legibility of 90 to 95 per cent. Aside from its relatively efficiency, digital imaging can also allow for the registering of various tablets in one excavation season and can be employed in the digital registration of all sealings such as pottery sherds, and fingerprints on clay vessels.
Thomas W. Cronin, Sönke Johnsen, N. Justin Marshall, and Eric J. Warrant
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691151847
- eISBN:
- 9781400853021
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691151847.003.0008
- Subject:
- Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
This chapter explores how polarization sensitivity is achieved in animals and how it is used in natural behavior. Arthropods are famous for their polarization sensitivity, but other animals, ...
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This chapter explores how polarization sensitivity is achieved in animals and how it is used in natural behavior. Arthropods are famous for their polarization sensitivity, but other animals, including vertebrates are also capable of this. A remarkable feature of some insect systems is that the sky pattern is genetically imprinted into the neural arrangements, all the way through to the central nervous system. However, celestial navigation is not the only use to which animals can put polarization vision. Other functions may include communication, contrast enhancement, and camouflage breaking. Polarized light stimuli are abundant in nature. Although no important source of light is polarized, light may become polarized when it is scattered or reflected. These two fundamental principles produce abundant polarized light in natural scenes, which explains why polarization vision is so common.Less
This chapter explores how polarization sensitivity is achieved in animals and how it is used in natural behavior. Arthropods are famous for their polarization sensitivity, but other animals, including vertebrates are also capable of this. A remarkable feature of some insect systems is that the sky pattern is genetically imprinted into the neural arrangements, all the way through to the central nervous system. However, celestial navigation is not the only use to which animals can put polarization vision. Other functions may include communication, contrast enhancement, and camouflage breaking. Polarized light stimuli are abundant in nature. Although no important source of light is polarized, light may become polarized when it is scattered or reflected. These two fundamental principles produce abundant polarized light in natural scenes, which explains why polarization vision is so common.
William Hoppitt and Kevin N. Laland
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691150703
- eISBN:
- 9781400846504
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691150703.003.0004
- Subject:
- Biology, Animal Biology
This chapter presents a classification of social learning mechanisms and explains how these mechanisms can be distinguished empirically. In most published social learning studies it is very difficult ...
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This chapter presents a classification of social learning mechanisms and explains how these mechanisms can be distinguished empirically. In most published social learning studies it is very difficult to determine exactly which mechanisms are operating. This is because experiments are often not designed with this primary purpose. Nonetheless, in such cases a researcher may still wish to draw some inferences about the process underlying a particular case of social learning. The chapter discusses stimulus enhancement, local enhancement, observational conditioning, response facilitation, social facilitation, imitation, observational R-S learning, emulation, opportunity providing, inadvertent coaching, and production imitation. It also considers a pragmatic approach to characterizing mechanisms of social transmission.Less
This chapter presents a classification of social learning mechanisms and explains how these mechanisms can be distinguished empirically. In most published social learning studies it is very difficult to determine exactly which mechanisms are operating. This is because experiments are often not designed with this primary purpose. Nonetheless, in such cases a researcher may still wish to draw some inferences about the process underlying a particular case of social learning. The chapter discusses stimulus enhancement, local enhancement, observational conditioning, response facilitation, social facilitation, imitation, observational R-S learning, emulation, opportunity providing, inadvertent coaching, and production imitation. It also considers a pragmatic approach to characterizing mechanisms of social transmission.
Allen E. Buchanan
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- September 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199587810
- eISBN:
- 9780191728761
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199587810.001.0001
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy, Political Philosophy
This book examines the ethical controversy surrounding biomedical enhancement: the use of biotechnologies to improve normal human capacities and characteristics. It deflates the heated rhetoric of ...
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This book examines the ethical controversy surrounding biomedical enhancement: the use of biotechnologies to improve normal human capacities and characteristics. It deflates the heated rhetoric of the debate and, unlike other treatment of the topic, is informed by an understanding of evolutionary biology. The book debunks the idea that the natural is always good, and explains why and how we might need to change human nature.Less
This book examines the ethical controversy surrounding biomedical enhancement: the use of biotechnologies to improve normal human capacities and characteristics. It deflates the heated rhetoric of the debate and, unlike other treatment of the topic, is informed by an understanding of evolutionary biology. The book debunks the idea that the natural is always good, and explains why and how we might need to change human nature.
Mark R. Leary
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780195172423
- eISBN:
- 9780199786756
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195172423.003.0003
- Subject:
- Psychology, Social Psychology
People process information about themselves, other people, and the world through the filter of their own self-images and egoistic desires. Their experience of the events that unfold around them is ...
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People process information about themselves, other people, and the world through the filter of their own self-images and egoistic desires. Their experience of the events that unfold around them is accompanied by an ongoing internal commentary that modifies the nature of the experience itself. Furthermore, what they say to themselves is often biased as people engage in self-deluded wishful thinking and judge events through the narrow window of their own self-interest. The self appears to be inherently egocentric and egotistical, and these tendencies create a number of problems. This chapter deals with the ways in which self-reflection interferes with people's perceptions of reality, and with the personal and interpersonal costs of these egotistic distortions, including self-serving illusions, the better-than-average effect, self-serving attributions, the bias blind spot, and other consequences of self-enhancement. The chapter concludes with tactics for fostering the recognition that one's perceptions are likely to be distorted in self-serving ways.Less
People process information about themselves, other people, and the world through the filter of their own self-images and egoistic desires. Their experience of the events that unfold around them is accompanied by an ongoing internal commentary that modifies the nature of the experience itself. Furthermore, what they say to themselves is often biased as people engage in self-deluded wishful thinking and judge events through the narrow window of their own self-interest. The self appears to be inherently egocentric and egotistical, and these tendencies create a number of problems. This chapter deals with the ways in which self-reflection interferes with people's perceptions of reality, and with the personal and interpersonal costs of these egotistic distortions, including self-serving illusions, the better-than-average effect, self-serving attributions, the bias blind spot, and other consequences of self-enhancement. The chapter concludes with tactics for fostering the recognition that one's perceptions are likely to be distorted in self-serving ways.
Leslie R. Martin, Kelly B. Haskard-Zolnierek, and M. Robin DiMatteo
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- February 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195380408
- eISBN:
- 9780199864454
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195380408.003.0003
- Subject:
- Psychology, Social Psychology
This chapter begins with an overview of the encoding, storage, and retrieval of memories. Important to the encoding process are attention, focus, understanding, and the agility of the working memory. ...
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This chapter begins with an overview of the encoding, storage, and retrieval of memories. Important to the encoding process are attention, focus, understanding, and the agility of the working memory. The role of emotion in memory storage is reviewed, with examples of how heightened emotion can enhance memory, or may interfere with it, if the emotion is too strong. Factors that bias our recall (such as cultural and other experiential elements, as well as the tendency toward self-enhancement), along with other characteristics (e.g., age, gender, lack of sleep) that are sometimes thought to be related to memory, are reviewed. Strategies for enhancing memory, including tailoring the information to the patient’s characteristics, considering health literacy, avoiding jargon and information overload, mnemonics and chunking, and multimedia memory aids, are given.Less
This chapter begins with an overview of the encoding, storage, and retrieval of memories. Important to the encoding process are attention, focus, understanding, and the agility of the working memory. The role of emotion in memory storage is reviewed, with examples of how heightened emotion can enhance memory, or may interfere with it, if the emotion is too strong. Factors that bias our recall (such as cultural and other experiential elements, as well as the tendency toward self-enhancement), along with other characteristics (e.g., age, gender, lack of sleep) that are sometimes thought to be related to memory, are reviewed. Strategies for enhancing memory, including tailoring the information to the patient’s characteristics, considering health literacy, avoiding jargon and information overload, mnemonics and chunking, and multimedia memory aids, are given.
Stephen Wilkinson
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199273966
- eISBN:
- 9780191706585
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199273966.003.0007
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy, Political Philosophy
This chapter examines the view that there is something especially bad about creating ‘enhanced’ children. First, it analyses and clarifies different accounts of enhancement. Secondly, it identifies ...
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This chapter examines the view that there is something especially bad about creating ‘enhanced’ children. First, it analyses and clarifies different accounts of enhancement. Secondly, it identifies and explains some ethical views about enhancement: notably, the view that enhancement is especially morally problematic. Thirdly, it provides a critical assessment of these views. Finally, it asks what implications (if any) the most defensible of these positions have for reproductive ethics and for questions of law and regulation. The chapter's overall conclusion is that the most important arguments against enhancement-selection fail, with one possible limited exception. The exception concerns positional goods (which are linked, but only indirectly, to the idea of enhancement). It may be that there are reasons to restrict enhancement-selection where the enhancement provides goods that are purely or predominantly positional.Less
This chapter examines the view that there is something especially bad about creating ‘enhanced’ children. First, it analyses and clarifies different accounts of enhancement. Secondly, it identifies and explains some ethical views about enhancement: notably, the view that enhancement is especially morally problematic. Thirdly, it provides a critical assessment of these views. Finally, it asks what implications (if any) the most defensible of these positions have for reproductive ethics and for questions of law and regulation. The chapter's overall conclusion is that the most important arguments against enhancement-selection fail, with one possible limited exception. The exception concerns positional goods (which are linked, but only indirectly, to the idea of enhancement). It may be that there are reasons to restrict enhancement-selection where the enhancement provides goods that are purely or predominantly positional.
Jennifer S. Beer
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195391381
- eISBN:
- 9780199776894
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195391381.003.0003
- Subject:
- Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Social Psychology
Even rose-colored glasses cannot hide the apparent discrepancy between models of self-control and the adaptive view of positive illusions. Most models of self-control suggest that accurate ...
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Even rose-colored glasses cannot hide the apparent discrepancy between models of self-control and the adaptive view of positive illusions. Most models of self-control suggest that accurate perceptions of the relation between behavior and goals are fundamental for goal attainment. However, the adaptive view of positive illusions suggests that individuals with unrealistically positive self-perceptions are more successful at achieving goals such as satisfying personal relationships, well-being, and professional accomplishment. If people fool themselves into thinking that their behavior is consistent with their goals (e.g., “Sleeping through class will help me get a good grade because I will be well-rested on the day of the exam”) or fail to acknowledge conflict between goals (e.g., “Eating peanut butter cups is delicious and healthy because peanut butter has protein”), then how can they execute the self-control needed to adjust behavior or resolve goal conflicts? This chapter integrates these perspectives by examining the evidence for the adaptive view of positive illusions and mechanisms that underlie unrealistically positive self-perceptions. The extant research suggests that positive illusions may be advantageous for goal attainment in the short-term, particularly mood regulation, but do not promote successful self-control across time. The failure of positive illusions to promote successful self-control in a sustained manner may be explained by the shallow information processing that supports many unrealistically positive self-views. In other words, positive illusions may often reflect cognitive shortcuts that need to be corrected to serve the monitoring function described in models of self-control. The adaptive benefit of positive illusions for mood regulation suggests that this relation occurs in situations in which mood regulation is a priority or it is not too costly to sacrifice other goals at its expense.Less
Even rose-colored glasses cannot hide the apparent discrepancy between models of self-control and the adaptive view of positive illusions. Most models of self-control suggest that accurate perceptions of the relation between behavior and goals are fundamental for goal attainment. However, the adaptive view of positive illusions suggests that individuals with unrealistically positive self-perceptions are more successful at achieving goals such as satisfying personal relationships, well-being, and professional accomplishment. If people fool themselves into thinking that their behavior is consistent with their goals (e.g., “Sleeping through class will help me get a good grade because I will be well-rested on the day of the exam”) or fail to acknowledge conflict between goals (e.g., “Eating peanut butter cups is delicious and healthy because peanut butter has protein”), then how can they execute the self-control needed to adjust behavior or resolve goal conflicts? This chapter integrates these perspectives by examining the evidence for the adaptive view of positive illusions and mechanisms that underlie unrealistically positive self-perceptions. The extant research suggests that positive illusions may be advantageous for goal attainment in the short-term, particularly mood regulation, but do not promote successful self-control across time. The failure of positive illusions to promote successful self-control in a sustained manner may be explained by the shallow information processing that supports many unrealistically positive self-views. In other words, positive illusions may often reflect cognitive shortcuts that need to be corrected to serve the monitoring function described in models of self-control. The adaptive benefit of positive illusions for mood regulation suggests that this relation occurs in situations in which mood regulation is a priority or it is not too costly to sacrifice other goals at its expense.
Delroy L. Paulhus and Ronald R. Holden
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- February 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195377798
- eISBN:
- 9780199864522
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195377798.003.0012
- Subject:
- Psychology, Social Psychology, Clinical Psychology
In this chapter, the authors note that social and personality psychologists address the issue of behavior in rather different ways. Social psychologists tend to exploit behavior as a concrete outcome ...
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In this chapter, the authors note that social and personality psychologists address the issue of behavior in rather different ways. Social psychologists tend to exploit behavior as a concrete outcome reflecting the difference in psychological state induced by an experimental manipulation. In contrast, personality psychologists view behavior as only one indicator of psychological constructs. The authors note that the traditional complaint against self-report measures is their vulnerability to self-presentation effects. The general tendency for people to self-enhance raises concerns that self-reports are just as likely to reflect presentation motives as actual personalities. One solution is to index self-enhancement via behavioral measures. The authors compare the full range of options from self-report to concrete behavioral methods. They also discuss the over-claiming approach, which taps the tendency to claim knowledge of non-existent items. They conclude with the response-latency approach, which is purely behavioral in nature.Less
In this chapter, the authors note that social and personality psychologists address the issue of behavior in rather different ways. Social psychologists tend to exploit behavior as a concrete outcome reflecting the difference in psychological state induced by an experimental manipulation. In contrast, personality psychologists view behavior as only one indicator of psychological constructs. The authors note that the traditional complaint against self-report measures is their vulnerability to self-presentation effects. The general tendency for people to self-enhance raises concerns that self-reports are just as likely to reflect presentation motives as actual personalities. One solution is to index self-enhancement via behavioral measures. The authors compare the full range of options from self-report to concrete behavioral methods. They also discuss the over-claiming approach, which taps the tendency to claim knowledge of non-existent items. They conclude with the response-latency approach, which is purely behavioral in nature.
Ingmar Persson and Julian Savulescu
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199653645
- eISBN:
- 9780191742033
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199653645.003.0010
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy, Political Philosophy
To enable liberal democracies to stop human induced climatic and environmental deterioriation it is then necessary to morally enhance their citizens, to make them appropriately concerned about the ...
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To enable liberal democracies to stop human induced climatic and environmental deterioriation it is then necessary to morally enhance their citizens, to make them appropriately concerned about the interests of future generations and of people world-wide. Since traditional methods of moral enhancement hitherto have been insufficient, this chapter suggests that we should also explore biomedical means of moral enhancement. It is argued that the central moral dispositions of altruism and a sense of justice have biological bases that are sensitive to drugs such as oxytocin. It is also argued that moral enhancement by biomedical means undercuts neither human freedom and responsibility, nor the influence of moral reasoning. However, it is admitted that research into biomedical agents of moral enhancement is still in its infancy and that it is too early to judge its fruitfulness. There is also the general difficulty that means of moral enhancement have to be administered by morally imperfect people.Less
To enable liberal democracies to stop human induced climatic and environmental deterioriation it is then necessary to morally enhance their citizens, to make them appropriately concerned about the interests of future generations and of people world-wide. Since traditional methods of moral enhancement hitherto have been insufficient, this chapter suggests that we should also explore biomedical means of moral enhancement. It is argued that the central moral dispositions of altruism and a sense of justice have biological bases that are sensitive to drugs such as oxytocin. It is also argued that moral enhancement by biomedical means undercuts neither human freedom and responsibility, nor the influence of moral reasoning. However, it is admitted that research into biomedical agents of moral enhancement is still in its infancy and that it is too early to judge its fruitfulness. There is also the general difficulty that means of moral enhancement have to be administered by morally imperfect people.
Ingmar Persson and Julian Savulescu
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199653645
- eISBN:
- 9780191742033
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199653645.003.0001
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy, Political Philosophy
It is easier for us to harm each other than to benefit each other, e.g. easier to kill than to save life. The extraordinary progress of scientific technology has increased our powers of action so ...
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It is easier for us to harm each other than to benefit each other, e.g. easier to kill than to save life. The extraordinary progress of scientific technology has increased our powers of action so that we can cause ultimate harm, i.e. render worthwhile life forever impossible, by weapons of mass destruction or by deleterious climate change and environmental destruction. There is considerable risk that we shall cause such harm, since our psychology and morality have evolved for a life in small societies with primitive technology and have not developed in pace with the changes brought about by technology. Since we shall continue to depend on advanced technology to support a huge and growing human population, we are in need of moral enhancement, by traditional or novel biomedical means, to bring down the risk of ultimate harm. This chapter also surveys the following nine chapters of the book.Less
It is easier for us to harm each other than to benefit each other, e.g. easier to kill than to save life. The extraordinary progress of scientific technology has increased our powers of action so that we can cause ultimate harm, i.e. render worthwhile life forever impossible, by weapons of mass destruction or by deleterious climate change and environmental destruction. There is considerable risk that we shall cause such harm, since our psychology and morality have evolved for a life in small societies with primitive technology and have not developed in pace with the changes brought about by technology. Since we shall continue to depend on advanced technology to support a huge and growing human population, we are in need of moral enhancement, by traditional or novel biomedical means, to bring down the risk of ultimate harm. This chapter also surveys the following nine chapters of the book.
Melvin Delgado
- Published in print:
- 1999
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780195125467
- eISBN:
- 9780199864188
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195125467.003.0010
- Subject:
- Social Work, Communities and Organizations
This chapter discusses the engagement phase of the community capacity-enhancement framework. Engagement refers to the sociopolitical process of developing relationships, eliciting commitments from ...
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This chapter discusses the engagement phase of the community capacity-enhancement framework. Engagement refers to the sociopolitical process of developing relationships, eliciting commitments from community residents, and helping to ensure a harmonious working agreement between all significant parties. The process of engagement is critical to the ultimate success of any community capacity-enhancement effort. It takes on added significance when it involves population groups that have historically been ignored in setting agendas for change.Less
This chapter discusses the engagement phase of the community capacity-enhancement framework. Engagement refers to the sociopolitical process of developing relationships, eliciting commitments from community residents, and helping to ensure a harmonious working agreement between all significant parties. The process of engagement is critical to the ultimate success of any community capacity-enhancement effort. It takes on added significance when it involves population groups that have historically been ignored in setting agendas for change.
Melvin Delgado
- Published in print:
- 1999
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780195125467
- eISBN:
- 9780199864188
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195125467.003.0011
- Subject:
- Social Work, Communities and Organizations
This chapter discusses the intervention phase of the community capacity-enhancement framework. The phase is often categorized as the “bottom line” for most social agencies. It represents the ultimate ...
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This chapter discusses the intervention phase of the community capacity-enhancement framework. The phase is often categorized as the “bottom line” for most social agencies. It represents the ultimate benefits of much hard work and preparation, as evidenced during the initial three phases. The nature of intervention (goals, type of project, target group, complexity, extent of resource allocation, and time) greatly depends on local circumstances. Thus, practitioners must always be prepared to modify the intervention to take into account local issues and priorities.Less
This chapter discusses the intervention phase of the community capacity-enhancement framework. The phase is often categorized as the “bottom line” for most social agencies. It represents the ultimate benefits of much hard work and preparation, as evidenced during the initial three phases. The nature of intervention (goals, type of project, target group, complexity, extent of resource allocation, and time) greatly depends on local circumstances. Thus, practitioners must always be prepared to modify the intervention to take into account local issues and priorities.
