The Social and Ethical Acceptability of NBICs for Purposes of Human Enhancement: Why Does the Debate Remain Mired in Impasse?

摘要: The emergence and development of convergent technologies for the purpose improving human performance, including nanotechnology, biotechnology, information sciences, cognitive science (NBICs), open up new horizons in debates moral arguments that must be engaged by philosophers who hope to take seriously question ethical social acceptability these technologies. This article advances an analysis factors contribute confusion discord on topic, order help understanding why form a part debate between transhumanism humanism result philosophical impasse: 1. lack clarity emerges from fact any given argument deployed (arguments based nature nature, dignity, good life) can serve as basis both positive negative evaluation NBICs. 2. impossibility providing with foundations will enable others deem them acceptable. 3. difficulty applying same specific situation. 4. ineffectiveness democratic society. present effort at communication about difficulties argumentation process is intended necessary first step towards developing interdisciplinary response those difficulties.