Cognitive Enhancement and Moral Bioenhancement: Becoming Smarter and More Moral

Abstract

This chapter explores technological ways in which we attempt to biohack ourselves to becoming cognitively and morally better. The authors explain how the need for moral enhancement increases as enhanced cognitive capacity enables humans to do even greater good and harm. Examples of enhancement interventions are identified ranging from pharmaceutical agents to AI, potentially supplementing traditional education and spiritual disciplines. The chapter engages religious issues about the role of wisdom versus knowledge, the value of effort, and the potential dispensability of religious leaders. Three ways of defining the ethics of radical cognitive and moral enhancement are discussed: the therapy—enhancement continuum and ways to make us better, choice, and justice. Discussion questions are included at the end of the chapter.